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Background and Aims Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is not an uncommon progressive condition in prevalent hemodialysis (HD) patients, associated with high morbidity and mortality. Sildenafil drug has limited studies about the efficacy of the drug and optimal dose among prevalent HD patients with PH. Aim of the study to assess the effects of sildenafil drug on estimated Pulmonary Artery pressure value (ePAP) mmHg via transthoracic Doppler Echocardiography and 6-minute walk test ( 6MWT) among hemodialysis patients with pulmonary hypertension. Method Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, from December 2018 to May 2019, involving 60 eligible patients on regular adequate HD with PH, estimated Pulmonary Artery Pressure (ePAP) ≥35 mmHg via Doppler echocardiography. HD patients with mean age 52.6±10.8 year divided randomly into 3 groups: Group 1 (20 patients) received 25 mg sildenafil, group 2 (20 patients) received 50 mg sildenafil and group 3 (20 patients) who received placebo as daily dose treatment for 3 months duration. Every patient in the study was subjected to full history taking and clinical examination. Exclusion Criteria: Current treatment of pulmonary hypertension, patient with evident history of cardiac diseases or chronic pulmonary diseases or systemic autoimmune diseases, portal hypertension, HIV, patients with uncontrolled hypertension or severe anaemia or hypersensitivity to sildenafil, treatment with any drugs that may interact with sildenafil all were excluded from the study. Transthoracic echocardiography was done at the begging of the study and after three months in mid-week non-dialysis day for assessment of the change in ePAP, pulmonary artery pressure calculated using the modified Bernoulli equation, and assessment of right ventricular functions . Exercise capacity assessment by 6MWT to assess the clinical response to the drug, was done for every patient at the start of the study and after 3 months of treatment. Clinically meaningful change estimate for the 6MWT considered as increase more than 30 meters. Results Significant increase in mean of 6 MWT in both group 1,2 received 25 mg,50 mg sildenafil respectively after 3 m duration of treatment versus non-significant change in placebo group as basal 6 MWT was (171 ±45, 214 ±58, 175 ±39) meters in group 1,2 and placebo group respectively (p>0.05). Means 6 MWT post-treatment were (205 ±57, 258 ±59, 182 ±49) meters (P0.05).There were no significant differences between the studied groups regarding means of ePAP2 post-treatment were ( 42 ±9, 39 ±15, 44.5±8) mmHg in group 1,2,3 respectively (P>0.05). However, the degree of severity of PH was more improved after treatment duration with sildenafil as in group 1 there were 5 patients downgraded from moderate to mild and 2 patients downgraded from severe to moderate after treatment. In group 2 there were 4 patients downgraded from moderate to mild PH and 2 patients downgraded from severe to moderate PH. In 3rd group (placebo group) only one patient downgraded from moderate to mild PH. There were 4 patients dropouts from the study two of them from group 2 (receiving 50mg) due to sildenafil related side effects appeared through the study. Conclusion This a clinical trial confirmed the efficiency of both 50mg and 25mg sildenafil daily dose in reducing e PAP and improving functional exercise capacity in chronic haemodialysis patients with pulmonary hypertension disease.

Background and Aims Hepcidin is a key regulatory peptide in iron homeostasis, inhibiting iron absorption by binding to ferroportin. Inflammatory mediated increase in hepcidin levels and reduced clearance in hemodialysis (HD) patients lead to functional iron deficiency ( FID) and Erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) resistance. Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) may be used as adjuvant therapy in FID anemia through its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant nature, but there was limited studies investigating the direct relation between vitamin C and hepcidin level in HD patients. We Aimed to test the reducing therapeutic effect of oral vitamin C supplement on hepcidin level among hemodialysis patients with functional iron deficiency anaemia. Method This study is an open label randomized controlled clinical trial that was conducted in hemodialysis units of Ain Shams University hospitals, 48 prevalent HD patients with mean age of 46.48 ± 15.57 years were included ,Group 1 (study group) :31 patients [13(41.9%) males & 18(58.1%) females] who received the conventional treatment of erythropoietin stimulating agents together with oral supplementation of vitamin C 500 mg every other day dose for 3 months. Group 2 (control group): included 17 patients [8(47.1%) males and 9 (52.9%) females] who received only the conventional therapy of erythropoietin stimulating agents according to their Hb levels. The patients enrolled in the study were patients on regular conventional HD for more than 6 months with functional iron deficiency anemia, defined as: hemoglobin level 200 ng/ml and TSAT >20 %. Patients with history of non-renal causes of anemia including malignancy, end-stage liver disease, or chronic hypoxia, patients with evidence of active or occult bleeding, patients who received blood transfusion within the last 4 months, history of recent hospitalization or infection requiring antibiotics within the last 4 weeks and patients with evidenced iron deficiency anemia were all excluded from the study .Laboratory parameters including serum hepcidin level, highly sensitive CRP (hsCRP) titer, CBC, kidney function tests and iron indices were measured at baseline and after 3 months . Results Oral vitamin C supplementation in Group 1(study group) resulted in statistically significant reduction in Hepcidin levels in the study group [mean 2506.45± 1320.53 pg/ml to 1748.39 ±1432.28 pg/ml ](P=0.03), and highly significant reduction in hsCRP level [mean 8603.23 ±2547.77 ng/ml to 5611.29 ±2829.27 ng/ml](P=0.001) after 3months of treatment. On comparing the two groups regarding changes in Hepcidin levels during follow up, illustrates that vitamin C together with time resulted in significant reduction of hepcidin levels in the study group (P Conclusion : Oral Vitamin C may be promising therapy in decreasing serum hepcidin and hsCRP in prevalent hemodialysis patients with functional iron deficiency anemia.

Background and Aims Low 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) level is common in patients with chronic kidney disease and hemodialysis (HD) patients . It has been associated with high bone turnover, secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT), and decreased bone mineral density (BMD). We aimed to investigate the efficacy of equivalent doses of pulse oral cholecalciferol (25,000 IU weekly for 12 weeks) versus single intramuscular cholecalciferol (300,000 IU) in correcting serum 25 (OH) D levels in HD patients. Method Prospective randomized open label Clinical trial. 40 prevalent HD patients with vitamin D deficiency were enrolled. Serum 25 hydroxy-vitamin D (25 (OH) D) level < 20 ng/m and Serum parathyroid hormone level ( iPTH) >100 pg/ml. Exclusion Criteria were serum calcium > 10 .5mg/dl, Calcium phosphorus product ≥ 55, tertiary hyperparathyroidism and Parathyroidectomy among others. Patients were randomized equally into two groups. 36 patients were compliant and completed the study. Group I :17 HD patients received oral cholecalciferol 25000 IU weekly of (Vidrop® 2800 IU/ml ) for 12 weeks. Group II: 19 HD patients received a single intramuscular injection (IM) of cholecalciferol 300,000 IU (Devarol® 200000 IU/ ampoule). Vitamin D supplements were stopped if serum calcium >10.5mg/dl or 25(OH) D level > 100 ng /ml (toxic level) during study. Serum calcium (albumin-adjusted), phosphorus, 25(OH) D by ELISA, Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) were monitored at baseline, 6 and 12 weeks of intervention. Both groups were maintained on their regular medications used to control mineral bone disorder as: alfacalcidol, sevelamer or a calcium-based chelator. Results Significant increase in serum 25(OH) D level in group II patients who received single dose IM Cholecalciferol after 12 w. Means of 25 (OH)D levels basal and 12 w of study were (10.54±5.14 and 13.45 ±5.72) ng/ml respectively. There was a significant increase in the mean of serum calcium basal and at 12 w (8.19±0.69 and 8.42 ±0.54) mg/dl respectively. No significant reduction in the iPTH level or any significant change in the serum phosphorus level was noticed. compared to group I with oral vitamin D, there was an insignificant change in the mean of serum 25(OH) D basal and at 12 w were (11.91±6.13 and 9.30±5.29) ng/ml respectively, associated with insignificant increase in serum calcium and an insignificant change in either the level of phosphorus or iPTH level. Conclusion Cholecalciferol 300,000 IU IM single dose showed better response on serum 25 (OH) D and calcium levels as a treatment of hemodialysis patients with Vitamin D deficiency compared to weekly oral dose for 3 months.