Association of Serum Fibroblast Growth Factor 23 and FGF23 Gene Variants with Chronic Kidney Disease in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes and Essential Hypertension.

INTRODUCTION: Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) gene variants could influence the production of FGF23 in subjects at risk for chronic kidney disease (CKD). Our purpose was to analyze the association of serum levels of FGF23 and two FGF23 gene variants with metabolic and renal function parameters in Mexican patients with Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) and/or essential hypertension (HTN). MATERIALS/METHODS: The study included 632 individuals diagnosed with T2D and/or HTN, of which 269 (43%) were diagnosed with CKD. FGF23 serum levels were determined and FGF23 gene variants rs11063112 and rs7955866 were genotyped. Genetic association analysis included binary and multivariate logistic regressions adjusted for age and sex. RESULTS: Patients with CKD were older, had higher systolic blood pressure, uric acid, and glucose levels than those without CKD. Also, patients with CKD had higher FGF23 levels (106 vs. 73 pg/mL p = 0.003). No correlation of any gene variants with FGF23 levels was found, but minor allele for rs11063112 and haplotype rs11063112A-rs7955866A were associated with low probability of CKD (Odds Ratio [OR] = 0.62 and 0.58, respectively). Conversely, the haplotype rs11063112T-rs7955866A was associated with increased FGF23 levels and risk for CKD (OR = 6.90). CONCLUSIONS: In addition to the traditional risk factors, levels of FGF23 are higher in Mexican patients with diabetes and/or essential hypertension and CKD, compared to those without renal damage. In contrast, the two minor alleles of two variants of the FGF23 gene, rs11063112 and rs7955866, as well as the haplotype carrying these two alleles, were found to be protective against renal disease in this Mexican patients' sample.

Transcription factor NRF2 as potential therapeutic target for preventing muscle wasting in aging chronic kidney disease patients.

Increased muscle protein catabolism leading to muscle wasting is a prominent feature of the syndrome of protein-energy wasting (PEW) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). PEW and muscle wasting are induced by factors such as inflammation, oxidative stress and metabolic acidosis that activate the ubiquitin-proteasome system, the main regulatory mechanism of skeletal muscle degradation. Whether deficiency of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2), which regulates expression of antioxidant proteins protecting against oxidative damage triggered by inflammation, may exacerbate PEW has yet to be examined in aging patients with CKD. This review focuses on the hypothesis that NRF2 is involved in the maintenance of muscle mass and explores whether sustained activation of NRF2 by non-pharmacological interventions using nutraceutical activators to improve redox homeostasis could be a plausible strategy to prevent skeletal muscle disorders, including muscle wasting, sarcopenia and frailty associated with PEW in aging CKD patients.

Severity of protein-energy wasting and obesity are independently related with poor quality of life in peritoneal dialysis patients.

Protein-energy wasting (PEW) and poor health-related quality of life (HRQoL) are independently associated with morbi-mortality in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). PEW may reduce HRQoL; however, we hypothesized HRQoL is affected differentially by PEW degrees or by individual criteria of nutritional status. AIM: To evaluate HRQoL according to PEW severity and nutritional status indicators in CAPD. This is a cross-sectional study in 151 patients. Subjective global assessment (SGA) was employed, and nutritional status classified as normal, mild-moderate PEW, and severe PEW. HRQoL was evaluated using Kidney Disease Quality of Life Short Form™, including physical (PCS), mental (MCS) and kidney disease (KDCS) components, and their subscales. Dietary intake, anthropometric and biochemical variables were measured. Forty-six percent of patients were well-nourished, 44% had mild-moderate PEW, and 10% severe PEW. Compared with well-nourished patients, those with mild-moderate (p=0.06) and severe (p=0.005) PEW had lower HRQoL score [68 (52-75), 55 (45-72), 46 (43-58), respectively]. PCS, MCS, and KDCS and their subscales had lower values as PEW was more severe. Patients with obesity and hypoalbuminemia had significantly lower HRQoL overall and component scores than their counterparts. Dietary intake was not associated with quality of life. In multivariate analysis obesity, PEW (by SGA), hypoalbuminemia, and low educational level predicted poor HRQoL (χ2 58.2, p<0.0001). As conclusion, PEW severity was related with worse HRQoL, either as overall score or in every component or subscale in CAPD patients. Poor HRQoL was predicted independently by PEW severity and obesity; additional predictors were hypoalbuminemia and low education.

Severity of protein-energy wasting and obesity are independently related with poor quality of life in peritoneal dialysis patients / La severidad del desgaste energético-proteico y la obesidad se relacionan independientemente con la mala calidad de vida en pacientes de diálisis peritoneal

Protein-energy wasting (PEW) and poor health-related quality of life (HRQoL) are independently associated with morbi-mortality in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). PEW may reduce HRQoL; however, we hypothesized HRQoL is affected differentially by PEW degrees or by individual criteria of nutritional status.Aim: To evaluate HRQoL according to PEW severity and nutritional status indicators in CAPD.This is a cross-sectional study in 151 patients. Subjective global assessment (SGA) was employed, and nutritional status classified as normal, mild-moderate PEW, and severe PEW. HRQoL was evaluated using Kidney Disease Quality of Life Short Form™, including physical (PCS), mental (MCS) and kidney disease (KDCS) components, and their subscales. Dietary intake, anthropometric and biochemical variables were measured.Forty-six percent of patients were well-nourished, 44% had mild-moderate PEW, and 10% severe PEW. Compared with well-nourished patients, those with mild-moderate (p=0.06) and severe (p=0.005) PEW had lower HRQoL score [68 (52–75), 55 (45–72), 46 (43–58), respectively]. PCS, MCS, and KDCS and their subscales had lower values as PEW was more severe. Patients with obesity and hypoalbuminemia had significantly lower HRQoL overall and component scores than their counterparts. Dietary intake was not associated with quality of life. In multivariate analysis obesity, PEW (by SGA), hypoalbuminemia, and low educational level predicted poor HRQoL (χ2 58.2, p<0.0001).As conclusion, PEW severity was related with worse HRQoL, either as overall score or in every component or subscale in CAPD patients. Poor HRQoL was predicted independently by PEW severity and obesity; additional predictors were hypoalbuminemia and low education. (AU)

El desgaste proteico-energético (DEP) y la mala calidad de vida relacionada con la salud (CVRS) se asocian de forma independiente con la morbimortalidad en diálisis peritoneal continua ambulatoria (DPCA). El DEP puede reducir la CVRS; sin embargo, planteamos la hipótesis de que la CVRS se ve afectada de forma independiente por los grados de DEP o por los criterios individuales del estado nutricional. Objetivo : Evaluar la CVRS de acuerdo a la gravedad de la DEP e indicadores del estado nutricional en DPCA.Este es un estudio transversal en 151 pacientes. Se empleó la evaluación global subjetiva (EGS) y el estado nutricional se clasificó como normal, DEP leve-moderada y DEP grave. La CVRS se evaluó mediante el uso del cuestionario Kidney Disease Quality of Life Short Form™, incluidos los componentes físicos (PCS), mentales (MCS) y de enfermedad renal (KDCS) y sus subescalas. Se midieron la ingesta dietética, las variables antropométricas y bioquímicas.El 46% de los pacientes tenía un estado nutricional normal, el 44% tenía DEP leve-moderada y el 10% DEP grave. En comparación con los pacientes bien nutridos, aquellos con DEP leve-moderada (p=0,06) y grave (p=0,005) tenían una puntuación de CVRS más baja (68 [52-75], 55 [45-72], 46 [43-58], respectivamente). Igualmente, la PCS, MCS y KDCS y sus subescalas tuvieron valores más bajos, conforme la DEP fue más severa. Los pacientes con obesidad e hipoalbuminemia tenían puntuaciones de CVRS general y de sus componentes significativamente más bajas que sus contrapartes. La ingesta dietética no se asoció con la calidad de vida. En el análisis multivariado la obesidad, el DEP (por EGS), la hipoalbuminemia y el bajo nivel educativo predijeron una mala CVRS (χ2 58,2; p<0,0001).En conclusión, la gravedad del DEP se relacionó con una peor CVRS, ya sea como puntuación global o en cada componente o subescala de los pacientes con DPCA. ... (AU)

Willingness to change diet and exercise behavior is associated with better lifestyle in dialysis patients close to a kidney transplant.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Evidence suggests that multiple-behavior interventions (with a specialist) have a greater impact on public health than single-behavior interventions, particularly in a chronic patient. However, there is little understanding of some very basic principles concerning multiple health behavior change, especially in situations such as kidney transplantation, which requires a great willingness to change negative lifestyle behaviors to achieve intermediate and long-term success. We compared healthy lifestyles and nutritional status according to the willingness to change dietary and exercise behavior in dialysis patients from a living donor kidney transplant program. METHODS: 400 dialysis patients had a dietetic, anthropometric, protein-energy wasting [subjective global assessment (SGA)] and biochemical evaluation. Lifestyle was evaluated with an adapted instrument to measure lifestyle in chronic disease. Willingness to change behaviors was evaluated by the trans-theoretical model; 2 groups were formed: willingness to change dietary and exercise behaviors and unwillingness to change. RESULTS: Willingness to change dietary behavior was 50% and exercise 25%. Patients with willingness to change dietary and exercise behaviors had better healthy lifestyle scores, and higher frequency of healthy food consumption. Healthy lifestyle score (R2 = 0.37, p < 0.0001) was predicted by older age, higher educational degree, shorter time on dialysis, and the highest willingness to change dietary and exercise behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: Willingness to change dietary and exercise behaviors was associated with healthy lifestyle, as well as with higher frequency of healthy food consumption and with lower frequency of unhealthy food consumption.

Severity of protein-energy wasting and obesity are independently related with poor quality of life in peritoneal dialysis patients.

Protein-energy wasting (PEW) and poor health-related quality of life (HRQoL) are independently associated with morbi-mortality in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). PEW may reduce HRQoL; however, we hypothesized HRQoL is affected differentially by PEW degrees or by individual criteria of nutritional status. AIM: To evaluate HRQoL according to PEW severity and nutritional status indicators in CAPD. This is a cross-sectional study in 151 patients. Subjective global assessment (SGA) was employed, and nutritional status classified as normal, mild-moderate PEW, and severe PEW. HRQoL was evaluated using Kidney Disease Quality of Life Short Form™, including physical (PCS), mental (MCS) and kidney disease (KDCS) components, and their subscales. Dietary intake, anthropometric and biochemical variables were measured. Forty-six percent of patients were well-nourished, 44% had mild-moderate PEW, and 10% severe PEW. Compared with well-nourished patients, those with mild-moderate (p=0.06) and severe (p=0.005) PEW had lower HRQoL score [68 (52-75), 55 (45-72), 46 (43-58), respectively]. PCS, MCS, and KDCS and their subscales had lower values as PEW was more severe. Patients with obesity and hypoalbuminemia had significantly lower HRQoL overall and component scores than their counterparts. Dietary intake was not associated with quality of life. In multivariate analysis obesity, PEW (by SGA), hypoalbuminemia, and low educational level predicted poor HRQoL (χ2 58.2, p<0.0001). As conclusion, PEW severity was related with worse HRQoL, either as overall score or in every component or subscale in CAPD patients. Poor HRQoL was predicted independently by PEW severity and obesity; additional predictors were hypoalbuminemia and low education.

Interactions Between Diet Quality and Interleukin-6 Genotypes Are Associated With Metabolic and Renal Function Parameters in Mexican Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the interaction between diet quality and interleukin (IL)-6 genotypes and its association with metabolic and renal function parameters in Mexican patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). DESIGN AND METHODS: Using an analytical cross-sectional design, 219 patients with T2DM (92 men; age 62 ± 10 years) were evaluated for selected metabolic and renal function parameters. Diet quality according to the Healthy Eating Index was evaluated and classified as good diet or poor diet in all patients. IL-6 serum concentrations and genotypes and haplotypes for IL6-597G > A (rs180097), -572G > C (rs180096), and -174G > C (rs180095) polymorphisms were determined. RESULTS: Eighty-two percent of patients reported having a poor diet. Carriers of alleles -572C and -174C showed higher high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (44 ± 12 vs. 40 ± 9 mg/dL; P = .01) and lower total cholesterol levels (184 ± 33 vs. 197 ± 42 mg/dL; P = .03) than did those homozygous for G/G. Neither IL6 genotypes nor haplotypes were significantly associated with serum concentrations of IL-6. Some significant interactions between IL6 genotypes/haplotypes and diet quality were associated with body mass index, waist circumference, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, and estimated glomerular filtration rate. CONCLUSIONS: Interactions between diet quality and IL6 genotypes/haplotypes were associated with the main metabolic and renal function parameters in Mexican patients with T2DM. It will be important to consider genetic profiles in designing dietary portfolios and nutritional interventions for the management of such patients.

Clinical Taste Perception Test for Patients With End-Stage Kidney Disease on Dialysis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to validate a direct taste perception test (TPT) and evaluate its performance in patients on dialysis. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was carried out in a tertiary-care hospital. A TPT was validated on 112 healthy subjects and applied on 43 patients on hemodialysis and 32 patients on peritoneal dialysis. All participants were presented a 10-mL sample to identify and rate intensity of primary tastes: sweet (sucrose 2%), sour (citric acid 0.1%), bitter (caffeine 0.06%), salty (sodium chloride 0.5%), and umami (sodium glutamate 0.25%). The internal consistency and repeatability of TPT was assessed by Cronbach's alpha and intraclass correlation coefficient. Chi-square and Mann-Whitney U tests were used to compare groups. RESULTS: TPT had Cronbach's alpha of 0.77. Intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.74 for sweet, P < .0001; 0.57 for salty, P = .001; 0.62 for sour, P < .0001; 0.78 for bitter, P < .0001; and 0.76 for umami, P < .0001. Compared with controls, patients on peritoneal dialysis were less able to identify sweet and umami tastes (P < .05) and marginally (P = .06) sour taste, whereas patients on hemodialysis were marginally (P = .06) less able to identify sweet and salty tastes. Bitter was not differently identified between groups. According to the visual analog scale (0-10), all patients on dialysis perceived sour taste less intensely than control subjects (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: This TPT for patients on dialysis had adequate reliability to identify five primary tastes in a clinical setting. Except for bitter taste, perception of all the primary tastes was altered in patients on dialysis compared with control subjects. A broader use of this test would help identify taste alterations and implement strategies for malnutrition.

Application of external micro-spectrophotometric detection to improve sensitivity on microchips.

The goal of this work was to increase the sensitivity of a UV-Vis spectrophotometer by decreasing the background noise and lengthening the optical path. A microphotometer has been modified to precisely select very small parts of a microfluidic channel pattern of a chip and to measure light absorbance on a magnified area of the selected part of the channel. The viability of combining a projection microscope and a spectrophotometer for external absorbance measurements on disposable PDMS chips was studied. Besides the external direct detection above a microfluidic channel, the optical pathlength was lengthened by detecting in the region of the perpendicular exit port. Increasing the cross-sectional area of the zone of irradiation improved the signal-to-noise ratio and the limits of detection (LOD).