Authors
Jing SB. Li L. Ji D. Takiguchi Y. Yamaguchi T.
Institution
Department of Industrial Chemistry, Chiba Institute of Technology, Japan.
Title
Effect of chitosan on renal function in patients with
chronic renal failure.
Source
Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmacology. 49(7):721-3, 1997 Jul.
Abstract
The effects of chitosan have been investigated on eighty
patients with renal failure undergoing long-term stable haemodialysis
treatment. The patients were tested after a control treatment period of 1
week. Half were fed 30 chitosan tablets (45 mg
chitosan/tablet) three times a day. Ingestion of
chitosan effectively reduced total serum cholesterol levels
(from 10.14 +/- 4.40 to 5.82 +/- 2.19 mM) and increased serum haemoglobin
levels (from 58.2 +/- 12.1 to 68 +/- 9.0 g L-1). Significant reductions in
urea and creatinine levels in serum were observed after 4 weeks of
chitosan ingestion. The feeling of physical strength, the
appetite and the sleep of patients in the treatment group had improved
significantly after 12 weeks of ingestion, compared with those of patients in
the control group. During the treatment period, no clinically problematic
symptoms were observed. These data suggest that chitosan
might be effective treatment for renal failure patients, although the
mechanism of the effect should be investigated further.