Content of thiamin in plasma and erythrocytes in patients with end stage renal disease

: In 68 patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD), nondialyzed-(ND)-21 treated by hemodialysis (HD)-27 or intermittent peritoneal dialysis (IPD)8 and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD)-12, we examined thiamine free (Th F) and thiamine total (Th T) content in plasma (P) and erythrocytes (E). 20 healthy volunteers (HV) served as a control group. Thiamine content in plasma and in hemolysate was assessed by fluorimetric method according to Blum and Merkel. In all patients the mean Th FP, Th TP, and Th FE, Th TE levels were decreased in comparison to HV. Mean level of Th FE in ND and IPD was significantly decreased (p < 0.05) in comparison to Th FE to HV and to patients treated by HD or CAPD. Mean level of Th FP was the lowest in IPD group, but did not differ significantly from Th FP in ND, HD and CAPD). In IPD patients mean level of Th TE was the lowest and differed significantly (p < 0.05) from that in HD and CAPD groups. The lowest mean level of Th TP we found in CAPD patients. There was significant difference with it in ND and HV group (p). Patients treated by HD and CAPD presented almost normal levels of Th FE and Th TE. The highest mean levels of Th FP and Th TP were found in ND patients. We suggest the need of thiamine supplementation in ESRD patients especially in those treated by dialysis. The supplementation of thiamine is needed particularly in patients on peritoneal dialysis.