Patch-clamp study on T-lymphocyte potassium conductance in patients with chronic renal failure

Nephron. 1996;72(4):587-94. doi: 10.1159/000188944.

Abstract

Using the patch-clamp technique, we studied the differences in whole-cell potassium conductance (g(K)+) in T lymphocytes (TL) from three groups of patients suffering from renal failure: not dialyzed patients, dialyzed patients, and dialyzed patients treated with human recombinant erythropoietin (rHuEPO). The differences in g(K+) values in the group of not dialyzed patients in comparison with controls was not significant (p > 0.05). In the group of dialyzed patients, after roughly 6 years of the hemodialysis therapy, the g(K+) value was significantly higher than in controls. In dialyzed patients treated with rHuEPO, g(K+) value was significantly lower in comparison with control. Moreover, in dialyzed patients treated with rHuEPO, the time duration of dialysis therapy did not significantly affect the TL whole-cell conductance. We conclude that the g(K+) is changed in TL in renal failure patients and that the time duration of hemodialysis therapy as well as the use of rHuEPO affect the g(K+) value. Possible mechanisms underlying the observed changes in g(K+) values, as well as medical implications of obtained results are discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anemia / etiology
  • Anemia / prevention & control
  • Electrophysiology
  • Erythropoietin / adverse effects
  • Erythropoietin / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Kidney Failure, Chronic / metabolism*
  • Kidney Failure, Chronic / therapy
  • Membrane Potentials / physiology
  • Patch-Clamp Techniques
  • Potassium Channels / metabolism*
  • Renal Dialysis / adverse effects
  • T-Lymphocytes / metabolism*

Substances

  • Potassium Channels
  • Erythropoietin