Skeletal muscle morphology and capillarization of renal failure patients receiving different dialysis therapies
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Date
2004Author
Sakkas, G. K.
Ball, Derek
Sargeant, A. J.
Mercer, Tom
Koufaki, Pelagia
Naish, P. F.
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Sakkas, G., Ball, D., Sargeant, A., Mercer, T., Koufaki, P. & Naish, P. (2004) Skeletal muscle morphology and capillarization of renal failure patients receiving different dialysis therapies, Clinical Science, vol. 107, , pp. 617-623,
Abstract
The morphology of gastrocnemius muscles was examined in RFPs (renal failure patients) being
treated using HD (haemodialysis) and CAPD (continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis). RFPs
(n=24) volunteered to participate in the present study. Twelve RFPs (five women and seven
men; mean age, 55 years) were undergoing CAPD treatment and 12 RFPs (two women and
ten men; mean age, 62 years) were undergoing HD treatment. Muscle biopsies from gastrocnemius
muscles were found not to differ (P>0.05) in fibre type distribution, MyHC (myosin heavy
chain) expression or fibre CSA (cross-sectional area) between the two groups. There were,
however, significant differences (P<0.05) in CC/F (capillary contact/fibre), C/F (capillary to
fibre ratio) and cytochrome c oxidase activity. The HD group had 33% more CC/F, with a
19% higher C/F and 33% greater cytochrome c activity in glycolytic fibres (II) than the CAPD
group. There were no apparent differences in age, gender, co-morbidity, self-reported physical
activity or physical functioning between the two groups, which could account for the difference in
muscle capillarity between the groups. The HD patients were, however, administered heparin as
a routine part of the dialysis therapy. The possibility is discussed that heparin in combination with
mild anaemia and acidosis may have augmented angiogenesis in the HD patients.