Micronutrient Metabolism in Hemodialysis Patients

Patients with end stage renal diseases (ESRD) that require long-term dialysis treatment still have high morbidity and mortality rates. Risk factors that are associated with outcomes and survival rates include long dialysis duration, medical complications, oxidative stress, infection, inflammation, and impaired immune responsiveness. Some studies have been investigated associations of disturbances of certain micronutrients in patients undergoing dialysis. However, the homeostasis of these micronutrients plays a critical role in the maintenance of antioxidant status and immune function, and the amelioration of infection. This chapter will focus on the associations between micronutrients (trace elements and vitamins) status and these risk factors and their potential therapeutic uses in hemodialysis patients. In addition, we review other special nutrients (substrates) that are essential for patient management.