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In eight patients remaining acidotic after more than 1 year of bicarbonate haemodialysis, we studied the effect of correcting the chronic metabolic acidosis using acetate-free biofiltration for 4 months on the course of secondary hyperparathyroidism. An AN69 capillary membrane was employed with a bicarbonate infusion rate initially set at 1.8 l/h in all patients and then adjusted in each one to obtain a predialysis bicarbonate of ≥23 mmol/l. Standard blood chemistry parameters were determined every 2 weeks. Measurements of PTH, calcifediol and calcitriol, as well as calcium-PTH curves were determined at the beginning and end of the study. While acetate-free biofiltration appears to be an adequate technique for the correction of chronic metabolic acidosis when bicarbonate dialysis fails, this study indicates that it does not influence secondary hyperparathyroidism in haemodialysed patients. The level of intact PTH did not vary significantly and the calcium-PTH curves at 0 and 4 months were superimposable with no significant differences in the set point and the slope of the curves. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Cyclosporin is known to cause a decrease in renal blood flow and glomerular filtration rate in both humans and animals. These acute modifications are reversible if the drug is withdrawn, and seem to be caused by a local hormonal imbalance between vasoconstricting and vasodilating substances. We studied human glomeruli incubated with either CsA alone, iloprost alone, or CsA + iloprost. Photomicrographs of glomeruli were taken at t0, t1, t2 and t5 mm and glomerular areas were measured with a videoanalyser linked to a computer. Results show a significant vasoconstriction with CsA alone, and no significant modification of glomerular areas with iloprost or CsA + iloprost. We conclude that iloprost prevents CsA-induced vasoconstriction in human glomeruli in vitro. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Keywords:allopurinol; antinuclear antibodies; hypersensitivity; recurrent course [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Key words: crescents; crystals; foscarnet; glomerular; nephrotoxicity; polyneuritis; renal failure [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]