Do ketoanalogues still have a role in delaying dialysis initiation in CKD predialysis patients?

Early versus later start of dialysis is still a matter of debate. Low-protein diets have been used for many decades to delay dialysis initiation. Protein-restricted diets (0.3-0.6 g protein/kg/day) supplemented with essential amino acids and ketoanalogues (sVLPD) can be offered, in association with pharmacological treatment, to motivated stage 4-5 chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients not having severe comorbid conditions; they probably represent 30-40% of the concerned population. A satisfactory adherence to such dietary prescription is observed in approximately 50% of the patients. While the results of the studies on the effects of this diet on the rate of progression of renal failure remain inconclusive, they are highly significant when initiation of dialysis is the primary outcome. The correction of uremic symptoms allows for initiation of dialysis treatment at a level of residual renal function lower than that usually recommended. Most of the CKD-associated complications of cardiovascular and metabolic origin, which hamper both lifespan and quality of life, are positively influenced by the diet. Lastly, with regular monitoring jointly assumed by physicians and dietitians, nutritional status is well preserved as confirmed by a very low mortality rate and by the absence of detrimental effect on the long-term outcome of patients once renal replacement therapy is initiated. On account of its feasibility, efficacy and safety, sVLPD deserves a place in the management of selected patients to safely delay the time needed for dialysis.

Protein-restricted diets plus keto/amino acids--a valid therapeutic approach for chronic kidney disease patients.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is increasingly common, and there is an increasing awareness that every strategy should be used to avoid complications of CKD. Restriction of dietary protein intake has been a relevant part of the management of CKD for more than 100 years, but even today, the principal goal of protein-restricted regimens is to decrease the accumulation of nitrogen waste products, hydrogen ions, phosphates, and inorganic ions while maintaining an adequate nutritional status to avoid secondary problems such as metabolic acidosis, bone disease, and insulin resistance, as well as proteinuria and deterioration of renal function. This supplement focuses on recent experimental and clinical findings related to an optimized dietary management of predialysis, dialysis, and transplanted patients as an important aspect of patient care. Nutritional treatment strategies are linked toward ameliorating metabolic and endocrine disturbances, improving/maintaining nutritional status, as well as delaying the renal replacement initiation and improving outcomes in CKD patients. A final consensus states that dietary manipulations should be considered as one of the main approaches in the management program of CKD patients and that a reasonable number of patients with moderate or severe CKD benefit from dietary protein/phosphorus restriction.

[Current issues in erythropoietin therapy of renal anemia]. / A renalis anaemia eritropoetinkezelésének aktuális kérdései.

Recombinant human erythropoietin has been used for more than 20 years for the treatment of renal anaemia, with epoetin-alfa and -beta representing the common traditional preparations. By the modification of the molecule's carbohydrate moiety or structure a longer duration of erythropoietin receptor stimulation was achieved. The administration of these new molecules (darbepoetin, C.E.R.A.) once or twice a month is also sufficient to achieve serum haemoglobin target levels, making the treatment safer and more comfortable both for the patients and the personnel. These recently developed synthetic erythropoietin receptor stimulating molecules, along with recombinant human erythropoietin, are together called "Erythropoiesis Stimulating Agents". In haemodialysed patients the intravenous route is preferred, but the subcutaneous administration can substantially reduce dose requirements. In praedialysed, transplanted or peritoneally dialysed patients, erythropoiesis stimulating agents should preferably be given subcutaneously both for economic and practical reasons. There are ongoing clinical trials with erythropoiesis stimulating molecules that can be administered by inhalation or per os. Current evidence suggests that the serum haemoglobin level should preferably not exceed 12 g/dl with the use of erythropoiesis stimulating agents. No cardiovascular protective effect of higher serum haemoglobin levels was demonstrated in two large clinical trials. Further well-designed studies are necessary to set evidence-based haemoglobin targets for erythropoiesis stimulating treatment. Arguments for a more widespread use of agents with extended duration include medical, financial and patient satisfaction reasons. The release of new erythropoiesis stimulating agents may further simplify the treatment of renal anaemia.