Twenty-two patients with chronic renal failure undergoing regular hemodialysis (1-3/W) were prescribed diets containing 2000 to 2400 Cal, 50 to 70 g of protein and 800 to 1000 ml of dietary water per day. In the anuric patients 3 to 5g of total salt and 200 to 400 ml as drinking water per day were indicated. The average dietary intakes of patients were 1365 Cal with 49 g of protein per day in 1970, 1600 Cal with 56 g in 1971, 1780 Cal with 65 g in 1972, and 1710 Cal with 70 g in 1973. In the period from 1971 to 1973 body weight and skinfold thickness of patients were slightly increased, while upper arm muscle diameter calculated from the latter was decreased in half the patients. Serum total protein concentration became increased, but serum albumin was not always increased. Hematocrit of patients remained 20% with little blood transfusion though anabolic steroid was used in short period. Plasma levels of essential amino acids except for phenylalanine and threonine or of glutamic acid, alanine, tyrosine and asparagine were depressed, while those of phenylalanine, glutamine, proline, glycine, ornithine, citrulline, 1-or 3-methylhistidine, histidine and taurine were elevated. In 1972, when dietary intakes of patients were increased, plasma essential amino acids became within normal concentrations except for phenylalanine. However, many non-essential amino acids showed elevated levels. Therefore, E/T, N/E and Gly/Val ratios of patients remained different from normal ones. The reduction of Tyr/Phe ratio or of His/3-MeHis ratio was also observed. Amino acid ratio (Gly+Ser+Glu(NH
2) +Tau/Leu+Ileu+Val+Met) became improved in 1972. More than 90% of the dialysed patients were able to work at their job in 1972. Conclusively, high calorie diet with 35-40 Cal/Kg/day, which contains 1g/Kg/day of protein for the hemodialysis patients of 2 times a week and 1.2-1.4g/Kg/day for those of 3 times a week, should be indicated for the improvement of nutritional states and the rehabilitation.
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