losartan-potassium and ketosteril

Supplement with keto acids/amino acids (KA) and erythropoietin can independently improve the metabolic sequels of chronic renal insufficiency. Our study was designed to establish whether a supplementation with keto acids/amino acids (KA) exerts additional beneficial metabolic effects in patients with chronic renal insufficiency (CRF) treated with a low-protein diet (LPD) and recombinant human erythropoietin (EPO). In a prospective randomized controlled trial over a period of 12 months, we evaluated a total of 38 patients (20 M/18 F) aged 32-68 years with a creatinine clearance (CCr) of 20-36 ml/min. All patients were receiving EPO (40 U/kg twice a week s.c.) and a low-protein diet (0.6 g protein/kg/day and 145 kJ/kg/day). The diet of 20 patients (Group I) was supplemented with KA at a dosage of 100 mg/kg/day while 18 patients (Group II) received no supplementation. During the study period, the glomerular filtration rate slightly decreased (CCr from 28.2 +/- 3.4 to 26.4 +/- 4.1 ml/min and 29.6 +/- 4.8 to 23.4 +/- 4.4 ml/min in groups I and II, respectively and Cin); this however was more marked in Group II (Group I vs. Group II, p < 0.01). The serum levels of urea also declined (p < 0.01), more pronouncedly in Group I (p < 0.025). In Group I, there was a significant rise in the levels of leucine (p < 0.01), isoleucine (p < 0.01), valine (p < 0.02) and albumin (p < 0.01) and a decrease in protein-uria (p < 0.01). Analysis of the lipid spectrum revealed a mild yet significant decrease in total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol (p < 0.02), more pronounced in Group I. In Group I, there was a decrease in plasma triglycerides (from 4.2 +/- 0.8 down to values a low as 2.2 +/- 0.6 mmol/L; p < 0.01) whereas HDL-cholesterol levels increased (from 0.9 +/- 0.1 to 1.2 +/- 0.1 mmol/L, p < 0.01). A further remarkable finding was a reduction in the serum concentration of free radicals (p < 0.01). We conclude that a KA supplementation in patients with CRF receiving LPD and EPO potentiates the beneficial effects on metabolism of proteins, amino acids and surprisingly, also lipids. Long-term co-administration of KA, EPO and LPD was also associated with a delay in progression of renal insufficiency and a reduction in proteinuria. Thus, concomitant administration of KA and EPO during a low-protein diet presents an effective treatment modality in the conservative management of CRF.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Amino Acids; Amino Acids, Branched-Chain; Amino Acids, Essential; Diet, Protein-Restricted; Erythropoietin; Female; Food, Formulated; Free Radicals; Humans; Keto Acids; Kidney Failure, Chronic; Lipoproteins; Male; Middle Aged; Prospective Studies; Proteins; Proteinuria; Recombinant Proteins; Treatment Outcome

Ketoacids (KA) and recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) may each, on their own, influence the metabolic status of patients with chronic renal failure (CRF). A long-term prospective randomized study was designed to monitor the metabolic and nutritional status and progression of CRF using three therapeutic protocols: (A) low-protein diet (LPD) with 0.6 g of protein and 35 kcal/kg/day, with recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) at a dose of 40 U kg/week and keto acids (KA) 100 mg/kg/day, (Group I), (B) LPD and rHuEPO (Group II), and (C) LPD only (Group III). A total of 105 patients (50M/55F), aged 26-78 years, CCr 22-36 ml/min, were monitored at the beginning, and at every 6 months for 3 years in the above three study groups. Group I comprised 35 patients, Group II 38 patients and Group III 32 patients. During follow-up, a significantly smaller decrease in GFR (CCr, Cin) and in I/SCr, and an increase in serum albumin, transferrin, leucine, body mass, index and HDL-cholesterol were found in Group I (all p < 0.01). In addition, significant decreases were also seen in proteinuria, renal fractional leucine excretion and serum triglycerides level (p < 0.01). Co-administration of LPD, rHuEPO and KA thus constitutes an effective alternative to conservative management of CRF, delaying in follow-up period progression of renal failure and correction of metabolic parameters.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Amino Acids, Essential; Diet, Protein-Restricted; Dietary Supplements; Erythropoietin; Female; Glomerular Filtration Rate; Humans; Keto Acids; Kidney Failure, Chronic; Leucine; Male; Middle Aged; Proteinuria; Recombinant Proteins; Serum Albumin; Transferrin; Triglycerides