Krause R, Klamroth R, Bennhold I, Holick MF, Chen TC, Molzahn
M
UVB irradiation reduces cardiac risk in hemodialysis
patients
Am Soc Nephrol
J Am Soc Nephrol (abstract)
(Sep) 7:1452 1996
These authors exposed 8 hemodialysis patients to sub-erythematous doses
of UV irradiation three times a week for 9 months. They found that
vitamin D levels rose (including vitamin D3, 25 hydroxy vitamin D3 and
1,25 dihydroxy vitamin D3) substantially in all patients. In
conjunction with the increase in vitamin D, PTH levels and blood
pressure fell, while hematocrit rose and lactate levels fell. The
authors suggest that these effects were mediated by vitamin D effects on
vascular smooth muscle and the parathyroids.
Comment: As these were uncontrolled observations it is difficult to
know if they
are meaningful. The baseline 1,25 D levels were high normal before any
treatment, an unusual finding in dialysis patients unless they were
receiving calcitriol. The modest rise in hematocrit certainly could
have resulted from other factors (e.g. iron or epo) and we aren't
provided with that information.
It would have been useful to assess lipid values in these patients as
well, since the focus appears to be on cardiovascular risk factors.
Clearly, despite many questions, this is a provocative finding. One
would hope a carefully controlled study would be conducted to answer the
methodologic questions.
(Donald Sherrard, M.D., University of Washington)
To go back use the BACK button on your browser.
Otherwise click on the desired link to this article below:
Am Soc Nephrol
CRF by organ system :
Cardiovascular/Hypertension