Glucose-free dialysis solutions: inductors of inflammation or preservers of peritoneal membrane?

OBJECTIVES: Glucose and other bioincompatible factors of conventional peritoneal dialysis solutions may damage the peritoneal membrane. The aim of our study was to investigate whether replacement of glucose with icodextrin (ID) or amino acids (AA) affects inflammatory parameters or cancer antigen 125 (CA125). DESIGN: Either ID or AA was used, in random order, in one daily exchange during an 8-week period. After the first study period, the patients entered a washout period and then switched to the other study solution for an 8-week period. C-reactive protein (CRP) was measured in serum, and CA125, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-6 (IL-6), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), and hyaluronan (HA) were measured in the overnight dwell dialysates at the beginning and end of the study periods. SETTING: A university hospital. PATIENTS: 22 patients with duration on peritoneal dialysis of 1.5 - 6.3 months. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Levels of serum CRP and dialysate CA125, IL-6, HA, and sICAM-1 during use of ID and AA were compared to levels during use of glucose-only-based solutions. RESULTS: CRP increased significantly during use of ID. CA125 increased significantly during 8 weeks' use of AA, from 22.8 (5.4 - 89.0) to 42.9 (7.1 - 92.9) kU/L (p = 0.007). IL-6 increased during 8 weeks' use of AA, from 22.0 (9.0 - 108.0) to 36.5 (14.0 - 93.0) ng/L (p = 0.002) and ID, from 25.5 (8.0 - 82.0) to 40.0 (12.0 - 118.0) ng/L (p = 0.008). TNF-alpha also increased significantly during use of ID, but showed no significant changes during use of AA. CONCLUSIONS: The use of glucose-free solutions, especially AA, may lead to preservation of mesothelial cell mass and host defense. However, activation of systemic and peritoneal inflammation may appear during the use of ID and to a lesser extent during use of AA.

Dialysate leukocytes, sICAM-1, hyaluronan and IL-6: predictors of outcome of peritonitis?

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Despite effective antibiotic therapy, peritonitis still remains a major problem in peritoneal dialysis (PD). The aim of the present study was to investigate changes of CRP, dialysate leukocytes and IL-6, hyaluronan (HA) and sICAM-1 in dialysate during and after peritonitis and their association to the outcome of peritonitis. METHODS: Dialysate IL-6, HA and sICAM-1 were measured at the onset and on day 4, at the end of the treatment and 2 months after onset of peritonitis. Furthermore, CRP and dialysate leukocytes were measured on days 1-4. RESULTS: All measured soluble factors were higher on the first and fourth day than at the end of the treatment. sICAM-1 and HA were lower at the end of the treatment in patients who later had a relapse/re-infection. IL-6 remained higher 2 months after clinically cured peritonitis. CRP and dialysate leukocytes were higher on day 4 in patients with poor outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Peritonitis causes increased excretion of soluble factors. Low concentrations of sICAM-1 and HA at the end of the treatment were negative prognostic indicators. Higher IL-6 levels after peritonitis could be a sign of ongoing inflammation in the peritoneal membrane. Delayed decrease in CRP and dialysate leukocytes may indicate poor outcome.