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A study was conducted to determine the beneficial effects of administering dipyridamole for patients undergoing hemodialysis. Results revealed that treatment with dipyridamole plus aspirin had a positive effect and reduced the risk of stenosis while improving the duration of primary unassisted patency of new grafts.

Low-doses of aspirin may prevent colorectal cancer from getting worse, according to a study of 1,121 patients who had recently been diagnosed with colorectal tumors. The progression of the cancer was slower in patients who took 81 milligrams of aspirin, compared to the patients who took 325 milligrams of aspirin or a placebo.

A higher than normal dialysis dose or a high flux membrane do not appear to benefit most dialysis patients, according to a study of 1,846 patients. However, some patients in the study appeared to benefit, so further research should be done to identify patients who might benefit from these changes. A high flux membrane removes larger particles from blood.

The development of kidney disease in Pima indians with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) appears to be similar to that seen in other diabetics. Researchers measured blood flow in the kidneys and the glomerular filtration rate in 194 Pima indians. Glomerular filtration rate is a measure of kidney function. Newly diagnosed diabetics had increased blood flow to the kidneys. Over the four-year study, the glomerular filtration rate increased in newly diagnosed diabetics, but dropped in those who were excreting albumin in their urine. This is a sign that their kidneys were damaged.

It appears that taking supplemental beta carotene and vitamins A and D does not help prevent colorectal adenoma. Colorectal adenoma is a precursor of cancer of the bowels, which is less common in people with diets that include antioxidant vitamin-rich foods such as vegetables and fish. Different combinations of a placebo, beta carotene, and vitamins A and D were given to 751 people who had previously had an adenoma removed. After four years, plasma levels of beta carotene had risen in the group receiving beta carotene supplements, and vitamin C and D levels rose in the groups receiving those vitamins. The incidences of colorectal adenoma were similar in all groups, suggesting that beta carotene and vitamins A and D do not provide added protection against cancer.

Low-protein diets may have a slight beneficial effect on the progression of kidney disease. Researchers tested the effects of restricted protein intake and blood pressure control in two studies of 840 patients with moderate to severe kidney insufficiency. No significant interactions between the low-protein diets or blood pressure control and the rate of decline in glomerular filtration rate (GFR), a measure of kidney function, occurred in either of the two studies. In study 1, the expected average decline in GFR did not differ between patients with high GFRs assigned to a usual-protein diet and those assigned to a low-protein diet. However, patients in the low-protein, low blood pressure group did experience a more rapid decline in GFR during the first four months of treatment. Similarly, in study 2, patients with moderate GFRs assigned to very-low protein diets had a slightly slower decline in GFR that did those assigned to low-protein diets.