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Plasma ascorbic acid in patients undergoing chronic haemodialysis.
1School of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacology, University of Oslo, Norway.
European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology
|September 29, 1999
Summary
Patients undergoing dialysis often have low ascorbic acid (AA) levels due to removal during treatment and poor diet. Supplementation can increase AA, but levels drop quickly after stopping, indicating a need for ongoing management.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Nutritional Biochemistry
Background:
- Patients with renal disease on dialysis experience ascorbic acid (AA) deficiency.
- Existing AA measurement methods are often insensitive and lack stability control.
- Dialysis removes AA, and dietary intake is frequently restricted.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate plasma ascorbic acid (AA) levels in dialysis patients.
- To determine AA clearance by dialysers.
- To study the kinetics of administered AA using sensitive and stable methods.
Main Methods:
- High-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection was employed.
- Pre- and post-dialysis plasma AA levels were measured.
- AA levels were monitored after oral supplementation (200 mg/day).
Main Results:
- Most patients (16/19) had pre-dialysis AA levels below normal.
- Median dialyser AA clearance was 212 ml/min.
- Dialysis reduced plasma AA by 33%; supplementation temporarily increased levels, which then declined post-supplementation.
- AA was less stable in uraemic blood and plasma samples.
Conclusions:
- Conventional haemodialysis membranes efficiently remove ascorbic acid (AA).
- Chronic haemodialysis patients exhibit significantly low plasma AA levels without supplementation.
- Effective AA management strategies are crucial for dialysis patients.