Effects of LDL apheresis and vitamin E-modified membrane on carotid atherosclerosis in hemodialyzed patients with arteriosclerosis obliterans.

BACKGROUND

Hemodialysis patients manifest accelerated atherosclerosis. Hemodialysis is associated with oxidative stress, which can be partially prevented with the use of a vitamin E-coated dialyzer. Adsorption of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) has been applied in the treatment of arteriosclerosis obliterans (ASO). The aim of the present study was to determine whether the vitamin E-coated dialyzer and/or LDL apheresis affects carotid atherosclerosis in hemodialysis patients with ASO.

METHODS

Thirty hemodialysis patients with ASO were divided into four treatment groups: treatment with conventional cellulose or synthetic membranes (group A, n = 12), treatment with vitamin E-coated membrane (group B, n = 7), treatment with conventional membrane and LDL apheresis (group C, n = 6), and treatment with vitamin E-coated membrane and LDL apheresis (group D, n = 5). Carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) and arterial stiffness assessed by pulse wave velocity (PWV), plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin (IL)-6 were measured before and 10 weeks after treatment and compared between groups. All values were referred to measurements after LDL apheresis.

RESULTS

IMT and PWV, plasma CRP and IL-6 showed little change in group A throughout the experimental period. These decreased slightly from the baseline value in group B, but the change was not significant. In group C, IMT decreased from 1.12 +/- 0.24 to 1.02 +/- 0.18 mm (p < 0.05), and PWV decreased from 2,266 +/- 380 to 1,968 +/- 342 cm/s (p < 0.05). Plasma CRP and IL-6 concentrations also decreased significantly compared with baseline (p < 0.05). In group D, IMT decreased from 1.18 +/- 0.26 to 0.92 +/- 0.18 mm (p < 0.01), and PWV decreased from 2,284 +/- 390 to 1,786 +/- 284 cm/s (p < 0.01). Plasma CRP and IL-6 levels also decreased significantly compared with baseline (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

These data suggest that LDL apheresis and the vitamin E-coated membrane dialysis in combination may prevent further progression of atherosclerosis in hemodialysis patients with ASO.

Copyright 2003 S. Karger AG, Basel