Plasma dimethylarginine levels in chronic hemodialysis patients are independent of the type of dialyzer applied.
BACKGROUND
Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) levels are increased in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Reports on the effect of various dialysis strategies on ADMA, symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) and L-arginine levels are inconclusive.


METHODS
In this randomized crossover study, 15 patients were dialyzed for 4 weeks with 4 dialyzers, differing in biocompatibility and flux. Dimethylarginine and L-arginine levels were assessed at baseline, and after 4 weeks both before and after HD.


RESULTS
During HD, ADMA and SDMA levels decreased significantly with all dialyzers. Dimethylarginine and L-arginine levels remained stable after 4 weeks of HD with each membrane. After pooling all data, values were mainly explained by variation between time points and patients, not by the type of dialyzer.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite an intradialytic decrease in dimethylarginines, no changes occurred after 4 weeks of HD with either membrane. Furthermore, the variability of AMDA, SDMA and L-arginine levels was far more dependent on patient-related factors than on the type of dialyzer applied.
Grooteman
Muriel P C
MP
Department of Nephrology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. mpc.grooteman@vumc.nl
Wauters
Inge M P M J
IM
Teerlink
Tom
T
Twisk
Jos W R
JW
Nubé
Menso J
MJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001120:Arginine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D015926:Complement C3a / Q000032:analysis; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000097:blood* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D008875:Middle Aged; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D011446:Prospective Studies; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000295:instrumentation*; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin / Q000032:analysis
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin; C044541:complement C3a, des-Arg-(77)-; D009569:Nitric Oxide; C024917:symmetric dimethylarginine; C018524:N,N-dimethylarginine; D015926:Complement C3a; D001120:Arginine