[Examination of activated charcoal preparations in chronic kidney disease: comparing Kremezin (K) and Merckmezin (M)].
BACKGROUND
Two activated charcoal preparations, Kremezin (K) and Merckmezin (M), are both available in Japan and derived from similar materials. However, their microstructures are distincty different, and possibly reflect differences in their properties of absorbance. To evaluate the difference between K and M, we investigated the effects of K and M on the clinical parameters related to uremia in pre-dialysis patients.


METHODS
A prospective, randomized, open-label, two-arm, parallel-group comparative clinical trial was planned, as follows. After the 4-week observation period, twenty-two patients who were enrolled in this study were randomly distributed into two groups, K or M, for 8 weeks.


RESULTS
There were no significant differences between the K and M groups in the characteristics of the patients. The rate of change of serum indoxyl sulfate was significantly reduced in the K group compared with the M group (p=0.002). Creatinine clearance was preserved in the K group, but decreased in the M group (p=0.045).


CONCLUSIONS
K had more favorable effects in adsorbing uremic toxins and preserving renal function in the uremic patients than M.
Inaba
Naoto
N
Nephrology Section, Department of Internal Medicine, Toride Kyodo General Hospital, Japan.
Aoyagi
Makoto
M
Tanase
Takehito
T
Maeda
Yoshitaka
Y
Shiigai
Tatsuo
T
Tomura
Shigeo
S
Kanda
Eiichirou
E
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D002244:Carbon / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003404:Creatinine / Q000652:urine; D016568:Drugs, Generic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007200:Indican / Q000097:blood; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008657:Metabolic Clearance Rate; D008875:Middle Aged; D010087:Oxides / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011446:Prospective Studies
D015415:Biomarkers; D016568:Drugs, Generic; D010087:Oxides; D002244:Carbon; C040896:AST 120; D003404:Creatinine; D007200:Indican