title: Long-term and short-term effects of hemodialysis on liver function evaluated using the galactose single-point test.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The galactose single-point (GSP) test assesses functioning liver mass by measuring the galactose concentration in the blood 1 hour after its administration. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of hemodialysis (HD) on short-term and long-term liver function by use of GSP test.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-four patients on maintenance HD (46 males and 28 females, 60.38 ± 11.86 years) with a mean time on HD of 60.77 ± 48.31 months were studied. The GSP values were compared in two groups: (1) before and after single session HD, and (2) after one year of maintenance HD.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among the 74 HD patient, only the post-HD Cr levels and years on dialysis were significantly correlated with GSP values (r = 0.280, P < 0.05 and r = -0.240, P < 0.05, resp.). 14 of 74 patients were selected for GSP evaluation before and after a single HD session, and the hepatic clearance of galactose was similar (pre-HD 410 ± 254 g/mL, post-HD 439 ± 298 g/mL, P = 0.49). GSP values decreased from 420.20 ± 175.26 g/mL to 383.40 ± 153.97 g/mL after 1 year maintenance HD in other 15 patients (mean difference: 19.00 ± 37.66 g/mL, P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients on maintenance HD for several years may experience improvement of their liver function. However, a single HD session does not affect liver function significantly as assessed by the GSP test. Since the metabolism of galactose is dependent on liver blood flow and hepatic functional mass, further studies are needed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Cardinal Tien Hospital, School of Medicine, Fu-Jen Catholic University, 362 Chung-Cheng Road, Hsin-Tien District, New Taipei City 23148, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Yi-Chou
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-7662-9890
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Hou
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Cardinal Tien Hospital, Yonghe Branch, New Taipei City 23445, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Wen-Chih
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Taoyuan Armed Forces General Hospital, Taoyuan 325, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Min-Tser
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Liao
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Cardinal Tien Hospital, School of Medicine, Fu-Jen Catholic University, 362 Chung-Cheng Road, Hsin-Tien District, New Taipei City 23148, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Kuo-Cheng
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Cardinal Tien Hospital, School of Medicine, Fu-Jen Catholic University, 362 Chung-Cheng Road, Hsin-Tien District, New Taipei City 23148, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Lan
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lo
authors.affiliation: Division of Internal Medicine, Chang-Gang Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, No. 5 Fusing Street, Gueishan, Taoyuan County 333, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Heng-Chih
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-5782-7138
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Pan
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, No. 161 Section 6 Minquan East Road, Neihu District, Taipei City 114, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chia-Chao
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-8772-011X
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, National Defense Medical Center, No. 161 Section 6 Minquan East Road, Neihu District, Taipei City 114, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Oliver Yoa-Pu
authors.initials: OY
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Cardinal Tien Hospital, School of Medicine, Fu-Jen Catholic University, 362 Chung-Cheng Road, Hsin-Tien District, New Taipei City 23148, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Hung-Shang
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Tang
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005690:Galactose / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism*; D008111:Liver Function Tests / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D005690:Galactose