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Rubidium deficiency in dialysis patients.
C Canavese1, E DeCostanzi, L Branciforte
1Department of Internal Medicine, University of Torino, Italy. ccanavese@hotmail.com
Journal of Nephrology
|July 7, 2001
Summary
This study found that hemodialysis patients have lower rubidium (Rb) levels in both serum and tissues compared to healthy individuals. Dialysis treatments can remove Rb, suggesting a need to monitor and address Rb deficiency in uremic patients.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Trace Element Metabolism
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Long-term survival in uremic patients on dialysis necessitates investigating subtle metabolic imbalances.
- Concerns exist regarding potential rubidium (Rb) deficiency in patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis (HD).
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the rubidium (Rb) status in patients with uremia undergoing chronic hemodialysis (HD).
- To compare Rb levels in HD patients with healthy controls using serum and tissue concentrations.
- To assess Rb mass balance during intradialytic dialysis sessions.
Main Methods:
- Serum Rb concentrations were measured using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy in 70 HD patients and 75 controls.
- Tissue Rb concentrations were determined by neutron activation analysis in 20 HD patients and 21 controls.
- Intradialytic Rb mass balance was evaluated during standard bicarbonate dialysis in 8 HD patients.
Main Results:
- HD patients exhibited significantly lower serum Rb levels (304 ± 81 µg/L) compared to controls (350 ± 74 µg/L).
- Tissue Rb concentrations, including in the brain, were significantly lower in HD patients than in controls.
- Standard bicarbonate dialysis resulted in a mean intradialytic Rb removal of 4.0 ± 1.1 mg/session.
Conclusions:
- The study confirms rubidium (Rb) deficiency in uremic patients undergoing hemodialysis.
- Dialysis treatments contribute to Rb removal, potentially exacerbating deficiency.
- Monitoring serum Rb and investigating deficiency causes are crucial for managing neurobehavioral health in uremic patients.