title: Treatment with essential amino acids in patients on chronic hemodialysis: a double blind cross-over study.
abstract: Patients on chronic hemodialysis may suffer from a latent protein deficiency, and therapy with essential amino acids has been recommended. In a double blind cross-over study, 13 hemodialysis patients received orally 15.7 g of essential amino acids daily over a 3-month period. Patients were on a liberal diet, containing 1 g of protein per kilogram of body weight per day. Hemodialysis was adequate. Therapy resulted in an increase in urea, uric acid, C3 c complement factor and a fall in C4. Lysine levels increased and phenylalanine fell. Malnutrition could not account for the observed metabolic changes, which are more likely due to uremic metabolic disturbances. A liberal diet of 1 g of protein per kilogram of body weight appears sufficient for patients on hemodialysis. Treatment with essential amino acids offers no advantage.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000601:Amino Acids, Essential / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003176:Complement C3 / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005921:Glomerulonephritis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011228:Prealbumin / Q000378:metabolism; D011488:Protein Deficiency / Q000517:prevention & control; D011704:Pyelonephritis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D012177:Retinol-Binding Proteins / Q000097:blood; D014168:Transferrin / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000601:Amino Acids, Essential; D003176:Complement C3; D011228:Prealbumin; D012177:Retinol-Binding Proteins; D014168:Transferrin