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[Plasma ascorbic acid in hemodialysis patients: preliminary results]
Bollettino Della Societa Italiana Di Biologia Sperimentale
|March 30, 1982
Summary
Patients on chronic hemodialysis have significantly lower ascorbic acid (vitamin C) plasma levels due to restricted diets and dialysis loss. This highlights a critical nutritional deficiency in hemodialysis patients.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Clinical Nutrition
- Nephrology
Context:
- Chronic hemodialysis patients often experience nutritional challenges.
- Maintaining adequate vitamin C levels is crucial for overall health.
- Dietary restrictions are common in patients undergoing hemodialysis.
Purpose:
- To investigate ascorbic acid plasma concentrations in hemodialysis patients.
- To compare vitamin C levels between hemodialysis patients and healthy controls.
- To explore factors contributing to low ascorbic acid levels in hemodialysis.
Summary:
- Hemodialysis patients exhibited significantly lower mean plasma ascorbic acid (0.285 mg%) compared to normal subjects (0.604 mg%).
- Dietary intake of vitamin C was substantially reduced in hemodialysis patients (approx. 40 mg/day) versus controls (>100 mg/day) due to food restrictions.
- Reduced dietary intake and dialysis-induced losses were identified as key factors for low ascorbatemia in this population.
Impact:
- Reveals a significant risk of vitamin C deficiency in chronic hemodialysis patients.
- Underscores the need for nutritional assessment and potential supplementation in hemodialysis care.
- Suggests a correlation between potassium and ascorbic acid intake, warranting further investigation.