Inflammatory markers
Effects of phosphate binder treatment on inflammatory markers are
presented in Table 4. A significant decrease in C-reactive protein (CRP)
was observed at the end of the treatment with sevelamer carbonate,
whereas no change was observed in CRP in the calcium acetate group. A
significant decrease was observed in IL-8, IFN-γ and TNF-α with response
to both treatments. The levels of IL-6 increased significantly in the
calcium acetate group and no change was observed in the sevelamer
carbonate group. Serum IL-10 levels decreased significantly with
sevelamer carbonate treatment and no change was observed for IL-10 in
the calcium acetate group.
Figure 3 shows the inflammatory profile between the calcium acetate and
sevelamer groups. In patients receiving the sevelamer, serum IL-8 and
IL-10 showed a significant decrease (Figure 3b and 3c). The serum TNF-α
levels were increased in the sevelamer group (Figure 3e) and no change
in IL-6, IFN- γ levels was observed (Figure 3a and 3d).