The effect of ultrapure dialysate on improving renal anemia.

Background: Renal anemia is a very serious problem in hemodialysis patients. In this regard, the investigation was focused on whether ultrapure dialysate could improve renal anemia and the mechanism of renal anemia.

Methods: Ultrapure dialysate was used over a 2 years period for 61 patients on maintenance hemodialysis. During this period, the changes in renal anemia and red blood cell life span were investigated. The changes in the latter were evaluated using the creatine concentration in red blood cell.

Results: The hemoglobin concentration, RBC count, and hematocrit concentration before the use of the ultrapure dialysate were 9.1 +/- 0.2 g/dL, 309.9 +/- L7.2 x 10(4)/microL, and 28.8 +/- 0.6%, respectively. These values significantly increased to 10.2 +/- 0.1 g/dL, 349.7 +/- 5.6 x 10(4)/microL, and 32.6 +/- 0.3%, respectively, after 2 years of ultrapure dialysate use. The increase in reticulocyte count indicated enhanced erythropoiesis by ultrapure dialysate. The red blood cell life span evaluated by creatine concentration in red blood cell was also prolonged after the use of ultrapure dialysate.

Conclusions: Ultrapure dialysate is considered to improve the renal anemia of dialysis patients by promoting erythropoiesis and prolonging red blood cell life span.