[Sulphur amino acids, vitamin B12 and folic acid in children with chronic renal failure].
Aim of the study was to: 1) estimate plasma profile of sulphur AA in children with chronic renal failure (CRF) and in children on hemodialysis (HD), and 2) to evaluate any correlation with serum folic acid (FA) and vitamin B12.


METHODS
32 pts with CRF: 9 with GFR > 20 ml/min/1.73 m2 (group 1), 9 with GFR < 20 ml/min/1.73 m2 (group 2), and 14 pts on HD (group 3).


METHODS
plasma homocysteine (Hcys), methionine (Met), cysteine (Cys), serine (Ser) were measured with gas chromatography. Serum FA and vit. B12 were measured using MEIA method.


RESULTS
median Hcys concentrations were the lowest in group 1: 5 mumol/l vs 9 mumol/l (group 2) and 20 mumol/l (group 3) (p = 0.03). Similarly, the lowest Met levels were observed in group 1--26 mumol/l, vs 66 mumol/l (group 2) and 281 mumol/l (group 3) (p = 0.001). Median Cys level in group 1 was 98 mumol/l vs 54 mumol/l (group 2), and 122 mumol/l (group 3) (p = 0.02). No differences were found in median Ser levels: 153 mumol/l (group 1) vs 239 mumol/l (group 2) and 240 mumol/l (group 3). The median concentrations of FA were 6.3 ng/ml (group 1) vs 8 ng/ml (group 2) and 15 ng/ml (group 3) (NS). Median concentrations of vit. B12 were 256 pg/ml (group 1) vs 379 pg/ml (group 2) and 322 pg/ml (group 3) (NS). There were no correlation between sulphur AA and FA and vit. B12 levels. The only difference between pts with Hcys levels remaining in lower and upper quartile concerned Met concentration (38 vs 263 mumol/l, p < 0.02) and GFR (p < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Hyperhomocysteinemia develops already in moderate CRF. In pts on HD levels of Met and Cys are also raised. FA and vit. B12 concentrations are normal and do not correlate with plasma concentrations of sulphur AA.
Litwin
M
M
Kliniki Dializoterapii i Transplantacji Nerek, Instytut-Pomnik Centrum Zdrowia Dziecka.
Abuauba
M
M
Wawer
Z T
ZT
Grenda
R
R
Kurył
T
T
Pietraszek
E
E
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000603:Amino Acids, Sulfur / Q000097:blood* / Q000652:urine; D002648:Child; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000097:blood* / Q000652:urine; D006801:Humans; D020138:Hyperhomocysteinemia / Q000209:etiology; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000628:therapy; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000097:blood* / Q000652:urine
D000603:Amino Acids, Sulfur; D005492:Folic Acid; D014805:Vitamin B 12