Effect of hemodialysis on plasma amino acid concentrations in healthy dogs.
OBJECTIVE
To characterize the effect of maintenance hemodialysis on plasma amino acid concentrations and to quantitate free amino acid losses into the dialysate during hemodialysis in healthy dogs.


METHODS
8 healthy adult dogs.


METHODS
Five dogs received hemodialysis treatments 3 times per week for 4 weeks. Plasma amino acid concentrations were evaluated once per week for 4 weeks in each of the 5 dogs prior to hemodialysis (time 0), 90 minutes during hemodialysis, and immediately after hemodialysis (180 minutes). Total free amino acid concentrations and plasma amino acid concentrations (time 0, 90 minutes, and 180 minutes) in the dialysate were evaluated in 3 dogs that received 1 hemodialysis treatment.


RESULTS
Significant time versus week interactions with any plasma amino acid were not detected; however, significant decreases in all plasma amino acid concentrations measured were detected at the midpoint of dialysis (46 +/- 2%) and at the end of each dialysis session (38 +/- 2%). Mean (+/- SEM) total free amino acid loss into the dialysate was 2.7 +/- 0.2 g or 0.12 g/kg of body weight.


CONCLUSIONS
Hemodialysis is associated with significant alterations in plasma amino acid concentrations and loss of free amino acids into the dialysate. Loss of amino acids into the dialysate, coupled with protein calorie malnutrition in uremic patients, may contribute to depletion of amino acid stores.
Elliott
D A
DA
Department of Molecular Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis 95616, USA.
Marks
S L
SL
Cowgill
L D
LD
Kass
P H
PH
Rogers
Q R
QR
D000596:Amino Acids / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood*; D000818:Animals; D001772:Blood Cell Count / Q000662:veterinary; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis / Q000662:veterinary; D004285:Dogs / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D012044:Regression Analysis; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000662:veterinary*
D000596:Amino Acids