Endocrinology and metabolism in uremia and dialysis: a clinical review.

The salient information regarding the effects of uremia and dialysis on each of the metabolic fuels and hormones presented in the preceding sections is summarized in three tables. Tables 1 and 2 provide data on plasma levels, metabolism, dialysance, and literature references for each substance. Table 3 organizes the data according to the general mechanisms by which uremia and chronic dialysis may affect biological substances. Together these tables provide a reasonably complete summary of the information presently available. The pathophysiology of the uremic syndrome is still incompletely understood. The numerous metabolic and endocrine alterations associated with uremia and chronic dialytic therapy underscore the complexity of the problem and identify several specific areas for future research. One which deserves emphasis is the poolic and endocrine abnormalities found in uremia. A recent review by Chantler and Holliday (63) stressed in the importance of protein-calorie deficiency in the pathogensis of growth retardation and disturbed hormonal metabolism in children with chronic renal failure. The importance of this factor in adult patients with chronic uremia has been less well appreciated. However, striking similarities exist between the metabolic and endocrine abnormalities found in protein-calorie malnutrition and those found in uremia. These include, for example, altered albumin and amino acid metabolism, decreased levels of serum transferrin, peripheral insulin resistance and carbohydrate intolerance, elevated levels of glucagon, cortisol and growth hormone, and possibly diminished secretion of thyrotropin and thyroxine. Although not absolutely identical, the similarities between these two clinical syndromes suggest intriguing possible approaches to a better understanding of the pathophysiology of the uremic syndrome and its treatment.