Platelet adenylyl cyclase signaling remains unaltered in children undergoing hemodialysis treatment

Patients with chronic renal failure exhibit multiple endocrine, gastrointes tinal and cardiovascular abnormalities, many of which may be explained by a lterations of adenylyl cyclase (AC) responsiveness and/or G-protein express ion. Since such alterations were previously reported, e.g., for platelets o f adult chronic renal failure patients undergoing hemodialysis treatment (H D), we have investigated whether children with chronic renal failure underg oing HD exhibit similar alterations. Eleven uremic children undergoing HD w ere compared with 11 age-matched healthy controls. Platelet AC activity was determined in the absence (basal) and presence of a receptor agonist, dire ct G-protein activators and direct AC stimulators. C-protein alpha -subunit s were measured by quantitative immunoblotting. Basal and stimulated platel et AC and immunoreactivity for platelet G-protein alpha -subunits did not s ignificantly differ between HD and control children. We conclude that HD in children is associated with much smaller, if any, abnormalities of blood c ell signal transduction than in adult patients. We speculate that quality o f dialysis, age, and underlying disease might differentially influence bloo d cell signal transduction cascades.