The Effects of Pentoxifylline on Peritoneal Functions and Cytokine Levels in Patients Followed with Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis

OBJECTIVE: Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis is more frequently used as renal
replacement therapy for end stage renal failure patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects
of pentoxifylline on cytokines and permeability of peritoneum in continuous ambulatory peritoneal
dialysis patients.
MATERIAL and METHODS: 21 patients with peritoneal dialysis followed at Çukurova University
Department of Nephrology were included. Pentoxifylline was given 2x400 mg daily for three weeks in
addition to the standard therapy. All of the patient characteristics such as age, sex, accompanied disease,
duration of peritoneal dialysis, edema, body weight, drugs were recorded. Peritoneal equilibration test
was done before and after pentoxifylline therapy. Kt/Vurea and creatinine clearance were calculated.
Peritoneal transport type, ultrafi ltrate and urine volumes and peritoneal sodium excretion were
determined.
RESULTS: There was no difference for the Kt/Vurea, creatinine clearence, the serum and peritoneal
dialysate levels of BUN, creatinine, sodium, albumin, IL-1, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-alpha, beta-2 microglobulin
between baseline and after the pentoxifylline therapy. Additionally, there was no difference for measured
parameters in diabetic and nondiabetic groups. Relationships between peritoneal sodium excretion and Kt/Vurea, ultrafi ltration and sum of urine volume+ultrafi ltrate were not found. There was a statistically signifi cant negative correlation between
serum albumin and serum IL-10 levels at baseline and after pentoxifylline therapy (p; 0,049).
CONCLUSION: Pentoxifylline was not found to be effective in peritoneal permeability. This may be related to the short duration of pentoxifylline
therapy and/or the relatively small number of the patients.