Vitamin E-Coated Dialysis Filters Help Fight Anemia in Hemodialysis Patients

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Source: American Society of Nephrology (ASN)

Released: Fri 10-Nov-2006, 11:00 ET

http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/525130/?sc=dwhp

Vitamin E-Coated Dialysis Filters Help Fight Anemia in Hemodialysis Patients

Description

For patients on hemodialysis, the use of dialysis filters coated with

vitamin E may provide a simple new approach to the common problem of

anemia, reports a paper presented at the American Society of

Nephrology's 39th Annual Meeting and Scientific Exposition in San Diego.

Newswise — For patients on hemodialysis, the use of dialysis filters

coated with vitamin E may provide a simple new approach to the common

problem of anemia, reports a paper presented at the American Society of

Nephrology's 39th Annual Meeting and Scientific Exposition in San Diego.

Dr. Dinna Cruz and colleagues of San Bartolo Hospital in Vicenza, Italy,

analyzed the outcomes of 172 patients in Italian dialysis centers who

were switched from " regular " dialysis filters to new filters coated with

vitamin E. " Vitamin E has long been known for its antioxidant

properties, but oral vitamin E has not been helpful in treating

dialysis-related anemia, or low red blood cell count, " Dr. Cruz

explains. " We hoped that these newly invented vitamin E-containing

dialysis filters would have some antioxidant properties—scavenging free

radicals that may cause damage to cells in the body, including red blood

cells. "

The patients' red blood cell counts levels increased significantly after

the switch to vitamin E-coated filters and remained increased throughout

the one-year study. By the end of the year, the percentage of

hemodialysis patients who were at target red blood cell counts—that is,

without anemia—had increased from about 50 to 80 percent.

The patients also had a significant reduction in their required dose of

the hormone erythropoietin (EPO). Normally produced by the kidneys, EPO

fights anemia by inducing the bone marrow to make red blood cells and

prolonging the life span of existing red blood cells. By the end of the

study year, the average dose of synthetic EPO had decreased by about 23

percent, especially important considering the high cost of EPO treatment.

Anemia is one of the most frequent complications of hemodialysis and is

a common cause of death in dialysis-dependent patients. " Many factors

contribute to this anemia, including low levels of EPO, iron and vitamin

deficiency, 'underdialysis,' and inflammation and oxidant stress, " says

Dr. Cruz. The use of synthetic EPO, along with intravenous iron, has

been a major advance in the treatment of hemodialysis-related anemia,

yet low blood counts continue to be a problem for many dialysis patients.

" We were gratified to see that the use of newer vitamin E-coated

filters, which were designed to reduce oxidative stress, had visible

clinical benefits, " Dr. Cruz concludes. " Our patients' red blood cell

counts improved within the first six months, and they needed much lower

doses of synthetic EPO. " With further research, vitamin E-coated filters

could become a simple and practical way of reducing a common and

important complication of hemodialysis.

The study abstract, “Effect of Vitamine E Coated Filter on Anemia in HD

Patients” (SA-PO026) will be presented as part of a Poster Presentation

on the topic of “Anemia in Dialysis” on Saturday, November 18 from 10:00

am-Noon in Halls A/B/C of the San Diego Convention Center.

The ASN is a not-for-profit organization of 9,500 physicians and

scientists dedicated to the study of nephrology and committed to

providing a forum for the promulgation of information regarding the

latest research and clinical findings on kidney diseases. ASN's Renal

Week 2006, the largest nephrology meeting of its kind, will provide a

forum for 10,000 nephrologists, to discuss the latest findings in renal

research and engage in educational sessions relating advances in the

care of patients with kidney and related disorders from November 14-19

at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, CA.

--

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