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Biomedical subjects

H Sperschneider

Publications and source records attributed to H Sperschneider.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

[Selenium and antioxidant status in various diseases].

All healthy mammalian organisms are characterized by an equilibrium between the occurrence of highly reactive oxygen species and their destruction by anti-oxidants. Numerous diseases go hand in hand with a disturbance of the homoeostatis. In order to avoid or minimize the destructive effect of the oxidant stress on biological structures, therapies utilizing drugs with anti-oxidant effects are increasingly being applied. Preconditions for these therapies are a characterisation and a follow-up of the anti-oxidant status in the diseased organism. In the course of the present study selenium, glutathione peroxidase and malondialdehyde were determined in patients with various clinical pictures (terminal renal insufficiency, septic shock, high-risk gravidieties, arterioscleroisis, pulmonary carcinoma, acute myocardial infarction, test patients taking the contraceptive pill). Patients with terminal renal insufficiency and those suffering from septic shock syndromes clearly show a selenium decrease in serum and whole blood as well as a drop in the GSH-Px-activity, and increased malondialdehyde concentrations in the serum. Both are a reflection of an increased lipid peroxidation. First results of a selenium therapy are available for patients with therminal renal insufficiency and post-traumatically induced renal failure. The interpretation of the findings in the categories "high-risk gravidity" and "women on the contraceptive pill", which show a normal GSH-Px-activity and significantly increased malondialdehyde concentrations, seems problematic. The organism counteracts an increased lipid peroxidation with a normal plasma-GSH-Px-activity, clearly a sign of a still normal anti-oxidant potential.

Acute Kidney Injury

Differences in intravenous and subcutaneous application of recombinant human erythropoietin: a multicenter trial.

The aims of this clinical study were to compare the maintenance doses for intravenous (i.v.) and subcutaneous (SC) administration of recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) and to investigate whether there is any difference in the increase of the packed cellular volume (PCV) per week under i.v. and SC administration of rhEPO from two production sites (Genetics Institute, Cambridge, USA; and Boehringer Mannheim, Penzberg, Germany). A total of 90 patients suffering from end-stage renal disease were included in the study. All patients had already been treated for at least 6 months with chronic hemodialysis. The study was carried out as a randomized, multicenter parallel group comparison study with a 1-week pretreatment phase, a subsequent 8-week double-blind phase, and a final open phase. The final open phase consisted of a correction phase and a maintenance phase. The production site had no influence on the PCV increase per week, and there were no differences with respect to tolerability. The median rhEPO dose required to maintain the target PCV of 30 to 35 vol.% was 33 U/kg body weight three times a week in the i.v. group compared with 22 U/kg in the SC group (i.e., an average of 30% less with SC administration). Development or aggravation of hypertension under rhEPO therapy was observed, especially during the correction phase and more frequently in the SC group than in the i.v. group. During the maintenance phase, there was no essential difference between the two groups.

Adult

[What should the general practitioner know about diagnosis and treatment of acute kidney failure?].

Acute renal failure (ARF) is defined as a renal insufficiency of sudden onset (increase of creatinine and urea in the serum) combined with or without oliguria (less than 500 ml of urine per day). Nephrotoxins (drugs, contrast medium) or renal ischemia (hypovolemia, hypotension, shock, septicemia, treatment with CEI) may affect the renal tubulus through several pathways, all of which may result in ARF. Ultrasound allows to distinguish hydronephrosis from ARF which is characterized by increased width of the parenchyma and low echodensity of the medulla. ARF is usually reversible. If conservative therapy fails, dialysis treatment is necessary.

Acute Kidney Injury

Haemodialysis-associated beta 2M amyloidosis: current controversies.

Beta 2M amyloidosis is a major complication of long-term haemodialysis. Beta 2M, the precursor molecule of amyloid fibrils, accumulates in renal failure because of diminished renal excretion. Whether, in addition, a minor increase of synthesis occurs in dialysed patients is still controversial. Beta 2M amyloidosis differs from most other forms of amyloid by its preferential osteoarticular location. This points to some peculiar role of the microenvironment in the synovial space, which is currently poorly defined. A finding which remains so far unexplained is the more delayed appearance of beta 2M amyloidosis in patients dialysed with polyacrylonitrile membranes. In principle, however, beta 2M amyloidosis is seen with all dialysis modalities and possibly even before maintenance dialysis. Differences between treatment modalities relate either to removal of beta 2M or some aspect of bioincompatibility, e.g. proteolytic processing. Finally, the exact chemical nature of amyloid fibrils, i.e. whether they constitute native beta 2M molecules or processed molecules, is currently controversial.

Amyloid

Calcium carbonate (CaCO3): an efficient and safe phosphate binder in haemodialysis patients? A 3-year study.

In an uncontrolled study, 22 dialysis patients (46 +/- 14 years, duration of dialysis 20 +/- 11 months) were treated with CaCO3 over a period of up to 3 years to lower their serum phosphate. The use of 4.5-9 g CaCO3 daily over a period of 9 months led to a reduction of mean serum phosphate from 2.51 to 1.51 mmol/l in 77% of patients, with a simultaneous increase in mean calcium concentration from 2.23 to 2.47 mmol/l, and an improved control of secondary hyperparathyroidism by reduction in mPTH from 1552 to 1032 pg/ml and in APH activity from 6.25 to 4.55 mumol/s/l. In long-term CaCO3 treatment of up to 3 years, however, a constant effective phosphate reduction could not be achieved. There was a progression (77%) of pre-existing microcalcification and a new appearance (42%) of microcalcification in vessels and soft-tissue areas of the hand. The percentage of patients with soft-tissue calcification increased from 43 to 67% during a treatment period of 3 years. We conclude that CaCO3 alone is not suitable on a long-term basis for phosphate reduction in dialysis patients.

Adult

Beta-2-microglobulin-derived amyloidosis: onset, distribution and clinical features in 13 hemodialysed patients.

Postmortem examinations were carried out in 13 patients (6 males, 7 females, age 58 +/- 9 years) who had been on regular hemodialysis treatment for 10-90 months using disposable regenerated cellulose membrane dialyzers. The prevalence of beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2m)-derived AB-amyloid deposits in different sites was determined. At autopsy, specimens were obtained from different joints, paravertebral tissue, intervertebral discs and from visceral organs. During life, routine laboratory parameters and radiographic studies had been carried out at 6-month intervals. Serum levels of beta 2m were elevated in all patients (57.5 +/- 13.4 mg/l). Synovial AB-amyloid deposits were shown in different joints of 4 patients, aged between 59 and 73 years, and dialysed for 10-90 months, respectively. All had been unremarkable by X-ray and asymptomatic. No amyloid could be detected in the intervertebral discs of 2 further patients suffering from destructive spondylarthropathy. In 11 of the 13 patients, extracellular beta 2m deposits were observed by immunohistochemistry in different tissues. The results document that (a) AB-amyloidosis may occur in elderly patients even when dialysed for less than 5 years; (b) most cases are completely asymptomatic; the appearance of symptoms must be dependent on additional factors, e.g., site of AB-amyloid deposition and intensity of inflammatory reaction, and (c) AB-amyloid is not the exclusive cause of destructive spondylarthropathy, as 2 typical cases were observed who were devoid of amyloid.

Amyloidosis

[Destructive spondylarthropathy in dialysis patients].

Back pain and a cervicobrachial syndrome, as well as progressive sensory and motor deficits as far as symptoms of paraplegia, developed in two dialysis patients two and five years after the start of dialysis. One was a 60-year-old woman with pyelonephritis, the other a 55-year-old man with glomerulonephritis. There were typical radiological signs of destructive spondylarthropathy (narrowed intervertebral spaces and slippage of the vertebral bodies). The female patient required several operations (spondylothesis and orthothesis) and both patients received daily 10,000 IU vitamin D and 3-4 g calcium carbonate. In the woman the destructive process no longer progressed one year after onset of symptoms, but she still required many analgesics. She died three months later of circulatory failure. The man died four weeks after the onset of symptoms from purulent meningitis. At autopsy only renal fibrous ostitis was still demonstrable. Amyloidosis resulting from an increase in beta 2-microglobulin level were excluded by both histological and immunohistochemical examinations.

Cervical Vertebrae

Beta 2-microglobulin serum concentration and associated amyloidosis in dialysis patients.

Using radioimmunological estimation of beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2M), significantly greater serum values were found in 36 dialysis patients (44.4 +/- 20.3 mg/l) in comparison to healthy probands (1.5 +/- 0.2 mg/l). A significant relation to the duration of dialysis, diuresis and serum aluminium and ferritin was found. The used dialysers MLW 1.3/1.8 m2 (regenerated cellulose membrane) did not eliminate beta 2M from the blood. Significantly greater beta 2M concentrations were observed in patients suffering from arthralgia and bone pain, but not in radiologically verified arthropathy and destructive spondylarthropathy. Post-mortem examinations of 13 patients on haemodialysis treatment for between 10 and 90 months revealed synovial beta 2M-derived (AB-)amyloid deposits in four patients at different joints, but not in radiologically suspect areas. The results suggest that independent of serum beta 2M, beta 2M-derived amyloidosis may occur in elderly patients on dialysis for less than 5 years. Several cases were completely asymptomatic.

Adult

[Use of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) as phosphate binder in dialysis patients in long-term follow-up over 3 years].

In 26 dialysis patients (age 46 +/- 47.8 years, dialysis 20.1 +/- 57 months) calcium carbonate was introduced to phosphate reduction for 3 years. The use of CaCO3 (4.4-9 g/d) for 9 months did reduce the phosphate level from 2.51 to 1.51 mmol/l in 77% of the patients and increase the calcium from 2.23 to 2.47 mmol/l. The long-term use use up to 3 years did'nt reduce the phosphate level effectively (mean value 2.24 mmol/l). In 77% of the patients a progression and in 42% new calcifications could be observed. The percentage of patients with soft tissue calcification within the 3-year CaCO3 therapy was increased from 43% to 67%. Therefore, CaCO3 alone in unsuitable for long-term use as phosphate binder in dialysis patients.

Aluminum

[Clinical significance of beta 2 microglobulin determination in dialysis patients].

In radioimmunological estimation of beta 2-microglobulin significant higher serum values were found in 36 dialysis patients (44.4 +/- 20.3 mg/l) in comparison with healthy probands (1.5 +/- 0.2 mg/l). A significant relation to the duration of dialysis, rest diuresis and serum level of aluminium was found. Significant higher concentrations were observed in patients suffering from pain in the shoulder-limb-region and with ostealgia in other regions, but not in radiological verified destructive arthropathy and spondylarthropathy. The used dialyzers MLW 1.3/1.8 m2 did not eliminate the beta 2-microglobulin from the blood.

Adult

Vitamin status in patients with chronic renal failure.

Many factors complicate the effort for a recommendation on individual vitamin requirements in CRF. On the basis of our present incomplete knowledge about the handling of vitamins in uremia, suggestions for appropriate supplementation only of water-soluble vitamins are given. Patients with advanced CRF without dialysis treatment should receive daily supplements of vitamin B6 (5 mg), ascorbic acid (70-100 mg), and the normal recommended daily allowance of the other water-soluble vitamins in addition to the vitamin intake from the diet. We give folic acid only in patients taking antifolate drugs or in combination with iron in iron deficiency state and anemia (1 tablet of Folicombin contains 0.5 mg folic acid and 0.4 g elemental iron). There is still a pressing need for more data on the vitamin status, on vitamin requirements, and on long-term effects of vitamin administration in CRF.

Humans

[Significance of the H-index in the early diagnosis of uremic polyneuropathy].

In 68 patients suffering from chronic renal insufficiency in the stage of compensated retention (36 male, 32 female, 46.9 +/- 12.1 years, Serum creatinine level 250-1350 mumol/l) and in 28 patients treated by chronic hemodialysis (13 male, 15 female, 39.5 +/- 14.1 years) the H-index from the H-reflex arc latency was calculated in comparison with the motoric nerve line velocity. The H-index was a sensitive electroneurographical parameter and better suited for the early diagnosis of an uremic polyneuropathy than the estimation of the motoric nerve line velocity. In 51 patients suffering from chronic renal insufficiency and in 64% of the dialysis patients a pathological H-index was found.

Electromyography

[Significance of parathyroid hormone (PTH) within the scope of central nervous system disorders in hemodialysis patients].

The role of PTH as possible uraemic toxin within the scope of disturbances of the central nervous system (progressive dialysis encephalopathy, PDE) was investigated in 88 patients undergoing haemodialysis. A radioimmunoassay covering the C-terminal PTH fragment was used. Patients undergoing haemodialysis with a PDE showed the highest values with 2,015.4 +/- 457.9 pg/ml, and also in the preclinical stage of a PDE the PTH values with 1,845.7 +/- 663.1 pg/ml lay significantly above those ones of the patients undergoing haemodialysis without PDE (794.8 +/- 364.7 pg/ml). The findings speak for the importance of PTH in the development of complications of the central nervous system within the scope of the uraemia syndrome.

Adult

No tissue level abnormality of vitamin A concentration despite elevated serum vitamin A of uremic patients.

In 57 patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) [44 patients on regular dialysis treatment (RDT), 33 renal transplant patients (RT) and 26 normal patients (NP)] and in a further 11 patients with CRF (8 patients on RDT and 17 patients without any renal disease in the post mortem) the vitamin A content of the serum obtained from the tissue of the liver, the stomach, the subcutaneous adipose tissue and the bone were analyzed. The vitamin A content of the serum was increased significantly for all groups of patients in comparison with the control group, but hypervitaminotic ranges were not reached in any case. The vitamin A content decreased depending on the time of dialysis treatment and the period after kidney transplantation. The retinol-binding protein accumulated even more than vitamin A in CRF and RDT. This statement is not in conformity with that of a hypervitaminosis A, of which normal respectively decreased RBP levels are characteristic. The serum prealbumin concentration was near the upper limit of the normal range in all groups of patients. The serum content of beta-carotene in patients with CRF and RDT was raised in comparison with NP and RT patients. As to the vitamin A content of the organs, a distinctive decrease appeared in the liver, so that a marginal supply must be assumed. In the stomach and the subcutaneous adipose tissue no changes, in comparison with the control patients, resulted. Due to renal insufficiency the results indicated an unphysiological situation in the vitamin A metabolism. Connections with disturbances of the fat-household could not be set up.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult

[Morphometric and histochemical studies of the skeletal muscles of patients with chronic renal failure and dialysis patients].

In 19 patients with chronic renal insufficiency in the stage of compensated retention, 20 patients undergoing dialysis and 24 patients with normal renal function muscle tissue was taken by an open biopsy and investigated histologically, histochemically as well as morphometrically. A neurogenic atrophy stood in the foreground of the histologic changes of the striated musculature in uraemia, a pure type II atrophy was found more infrequently. In the patients undergoing dialysis frequency and size of these disturbances were more distinct. Except for a possible influence of a disturbed calcium metabolism other pathogenetic factors supposed in literature could not be found.

Adult

[Desferal treatment of aluminum poisoning; effect on serum concentrations of aluminum (Al), iron (Fe) and copper (Cu)].

In 2 patients with a progressive dialysis encephalopathy and increased serum aluminium concentrations a Desferal-treatment with 500 mg per week was performed and in these cases the kinetics of Al, Fe, Cu was investigated. After the application of Desferal an increase of the serum levels, the ultrafiltrable proportion, the dialysance and the eliminated quantity of aluminium developed. In the course of the treatment in the two patients the aluminium level could be reduced to approximately normal values. Nevertheless one patient died of a severe course of a progressive dialysis encephalopathy. An increase of the copper concentration independent of Desferal-treatment after the dialysator passage remained without influence on the course of concentration of the serum copper in the examination period. A remarkable effect of the Desferal-therapy on the iron metabolism could not be established. Since in the dosage used there did not appear any side effects the Desferal-application is to characterized as a distinct and effective technique for the decrease of the serum-aluminium-concentration in patients undergoing dialysis.

Adult

[Histochemical localization of aluminum deposits in bones and their relation to the clinical and histomorphometric findings in patients with chronic renal failure].

In 60 patients with chronic renal insufficiency and 36 dialysis patients an iliac crest biopsy was performed, on the undecalcified bone morphometric determinations were carried out as well as the aluminium deposition was investigated histochemically. Histologically were found in 3 patients normal findings, in 11 patients a fibroosteoclasia, in 23 patients an osteoidosis and in 59 patients a combination fibroosteoclasia and osteoidosis. 3 oft the 60 patients with a chronic renal insufficiency had aluminium depositions in the polyblasts. Of the 36 dialysis patients 19 (55.4%) had a positive aluminium histology: 30.7% of the patients with osteoidosis and 23.7% with a mixed form. There was a positive correlation to the bone and osteoid volume, to the osteoid surface and a negative relation to the activity of osteoblasts, the absorption surface and the activity of osteoclasts. Aluminium depositions on the mineralisation border might be of importance for the changes.

Adolescent