Effects of a parathyroidectomy on the immune system and nutritional condition in chronic dialysis patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism

BACKGROUND: Parathyroid hormone (PTH) has an adverse effect on the immune s ystem and may cause immunologic disorders in patients with chronic renal fa ilure. The in vivo effects of a parathyroidectomy on the immunologic parame ters was examined. METHODS: Thirty-four patients under dialysis therapy received a parathyroid ectomy (PTx) for secondary hyperparathyroidism (HPT). They were prospective ly studied regarding serum immunoglobulins, complements, CD markers, and se rum soluble IL-2 receptor (sIL-2R) until 12 months after PTx. RESULTS: The serum levels of IgG, IgA and IgM showed significant increase u ntil 12 months after PTx (P <0.001, respectively). C3, C4, and CH50 also in dicated significant increase at 12 months after PTx. In cellular immunity, only serum sIL-2R showed significant increase 2 weeks after PTx (P = 0.028) . The hematocrit and serum albumin also improved significantly at 12 months . CONCLUSIONS: PTx showed beneficial effects on humoral immunological markers . The effects are probably due to the remarkable PTH reduction and partly i mproved nutritional state after PTx. (C) 1999 by Excerpta Medica, Inc.