title: Neopterin levels in long-term hemodialysis.
abstract: We studied 20 patients on long-term hemodialysis. Concentrations of neopterin and creatinine were quantified in serum and in exchange buffers before, during and after treatment sessions. Neopterin is a low molecular weight product released by human macrophages upon stimulation with interferon gamma. It permits the quantification of the level of cellular immune activation in vivo. Neopterin and neopterin/creatinine ratios were found to be significantly increased in all patients. When comparing 15 patients treated with acetate exchange fluid buffers versus 5 patients treated with hydrogencarbonate, neopterin levels did not differ. Statistical computations revealed that the length of time on dialysis contributed to the increase of neopterin concentrations. Higher grade of cellular immune activation was preferentially detectable in those patients who had been on dialysis for more than 1 year. The demonstrated state of enhanced immune activation in dialysis patients might also help to explain accelerated development of AIDS in dialysis patients when infected with HIV.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Innsbruck, Austria.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fuchs
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hausen
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Reibnegger
authors.forename: E R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Werner
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: von Dittrich
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wachter
mesh_terms: D000085:Acetates; D019342:Acetic Acid; D001639:Bicarbonates; D001708:Biopterins / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D002021:Buffers; D003401:Creatine / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D015312:Hemodialysis Solutions / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019798:Neopterin; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D012737:Sex Factors; D012964:Sodium; D017693:Sodium Bicarbonate; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000085:Acetates; D001639:Bicarbonates; D002021:Buffers; D015312:Hemodialysis Solutions; D001708:Biopterins; D019798:Neopterin; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D017693:Sodium Bicarbonate; D012964:Sodium; D003401:Creatine; D019342:Acetic Acid