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Intracellular free calcium in the neutrophils of maintenance haemodialysis patients
Author(s) -
Koorts A. M.,
Kruger M. C.,
Potgieter C. D.,
Viljoen M.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
clinical physiology and functional imaging
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.608
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1475-097X
pISSN - 1475-0961
DOI - 10.1046/j.1475-097x.2002.00432.x
Subject(s) - intracellular , medicine , calcium in biology , calcium , oxidative stress , endocrinology , calcium metabolism , erythropoietin , pharmacology , biochemistry , chemistry
Summary Chronic renal failure has on occasion been referred to as a state of calcium toxicity. The aim of this study was to investigate the status of intracellular free Ca 2+ in the neutrophils of chronic renal failure patients on maintenance haemodialysis treatment. Factors previously suggested to influence intracellular free Ca 2+ were investigated including PTH levels, oxidative stress and recombinant human erythropoietin administration. The study involved 14 chronic renal failure patients on the haemodialysis programme of the Pretoria Academic hospital. Intracellular free Ca 2+ and transmembrane Ca 2+ fluxes were investigated by fluorescence spectrophotometry. Increases above control values were found in intracellular free Ca 2+ ( P ‐value 0·0242) and in the transmembrane Ca 2+ flux upon fMLP stimulation ( P ‐value 0·0002). The results showed significant differences in intracellular free Ca 2+ between patients on rHuEPO and patients not on rHuEPO. The apparently rHuEPO‐induced increase in intracellular free Ca 2+ persisted in the presence of calcium channel blockers. No overt indications of oxidative stress could be detected by the antioxidant vitamin levels. It is concluded that factors other than those associated with uraemia, such as rHuEPO administration, might contribute to the often reported increase in intracellular free Ca 2+ in these patients. Further studies to investigate the relationship between intracellular free Ca 2+ , rHuEPO and calcium channel blockers are suggested.