Determination of body burden of uremic toxins

The body burden of two uremic toxins, di- and trimethylamines, was determined in eight chronic renal failure patients, who received a renal transplant with immediate good function. The "pools" of these amines were calculated on the basis of serum concentration just prior to vascular anastomosis being established and compared to measured amines excreted over a period of five days following transplantation. The amount of DMA and TMA present intra-cellularly in eight muscle samples obtained from these patients was also studied. Both the measured to calculated ratios and intracellular to extracellular ratios of these amine concentrations suggests significant intracellular sequestration in end-stage renal disease. The possible effect on the intracellular milieu is discussed. Serum concentration of these uremic toxins under-estimates the total body burden.