The effects of the calcium-restricted diet of urolithiasis patients with absorptive hypercalciuria type II on risk factors for kidney stones and osteopenia.

The calcium (Ca)-restricted diet of urolithiasis patients with absorptive hypercalciuria type II may decrease Ca excretion but increase biochemical markers of risk for osteopenia. We randomly allocated 25 patients from six hospitals into an experimental group (Ca restriction to 500 mg/day, oxalate-rich products discouraged and normalization of animal protein and sodium) and a control group (no restrictions) for one month. The urinary Ca excretion did not decrease significantly, but the oxalate excretion decreased, although not significantly. The hydroxyproline:creatinine ratio in fasting urine seemed to increase and the calcium:creatinine ratio to decrease. The deoxypyridinoline:creatinine ratio in fasting urine did not change. We conclude that our Ca-restricted diet, which is lower in Ca, animal protein and table salt due to the omission of dairy products, may be of benefit for absorptive hypercalciuria type II patients without enhancing the risk for osteopenia. However, a long-term clinical trial is required.

Vascular reactivity during haemodialysis and isolated ultrafiltration: thermal influences.

BACKGROUND: The present study was performed to assess the role of the extracorporeal blood temperature in the disparate cardiovascular response between isolated ultrafiltration and combined ultrafiltration-haemodialysis. METHODS: In twelve stable dialysis patients (21-77 years), blood pressure and heart rate (Finapres) as well as forearm vascular resistance and venous tone (strain-gauge plethysmography) were measured during 1-h isolated ultrafiltration and 1-h combined ultrafiltration-haemodialysis (bicarbonate, sodium 141 mmol/l) at a fixed ultrafiltration rate of 0.91 l/h. The sequence of both treatment modalities was randomly defined within each patient. Serving as his or her own control, each patient was studied at two different dialysate temperatures: 37.5 and 35.0 degrees C. RESULTS: At a dialysate temperature of 35.0 degrees C extracorporeal blood cooling during combined ultrafiltration-haemodialysis was comparable to isolated ultrafiltration. The cardiovascular response in isolated ultrafiltration was characterized by a significant increase in both forearm vascular resistance and venous tone, while heart rate even decreased. As a result, blood pressure remained unchanged or even increased. In contrast, during combined ultrafiltration-haemodialysis at a dialysate temperature of 37.5 degrees C the increase in forearm vascular resistance was only small and insignificant, while venous tone decreased significantly. Heart rate tended to increase. Combined ultrafiltration-haemodialysis at a dialysate temperature of 35.0 degrees C was also associated with a small increase in forearm vascular resistance. However, venous tone remained stable while heart rate decreased. At both dialysate temperatures, blood pressure was well maintained. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that differences in cardiovascular reactivity between isolated ultrafiltration and combined ultrafiltration-haemodialysis are only partially explained by differences in the extracorporeal blood temperature. In addition, especially venous reactivity is improved by lowering the dialysate temperature.

Plasma urea, creatinine, uric acid, albumin, and total protein concentrations before and after 15-, 25-, and 42-km contests.

One hundred fourteen volunteers (34 +/- 8 years) took part in an endurance training study to be completed after 18-20 months with a marathon. Ultimately, 60 males and 18 females achieved that goal. The training program, carefully supervised, was divided into three periods with a maximum of 45, 70, and 110 km/week training volume and concluded with contests of 15, 25, and 42.2 km, respectively. The competitive distance always exceeded the maximal distance covered in any previous training session. Three days before and 3 and 5 days after each race 35 subjects were selected to perform a progressive treadmill test and the remaining subjects participated in field tests of 400 and 1000 m. Before and after three contests of 15, 25, and 42.195 km the plasma concentration of urea, creatinine, uric acid, albumin, and total protein were determined. Both sexes demonstrated an increase of the plasma concentrations of urea, creatinine, and uric acid after the contests. Plasma albumin concentration decreased 2 days after the contests and total protein did not change. In females the decrease of the elevated plasma urea concentration after the marathon from the 1st day to the 3rd day post-exercise was faster than in males. The increase of plasma creatinine and uric acid concentrations were hardly dependent on the contest's distance.