Microbiota Quality and Mitochondrial Activity Link with Occurrence of Muscle Cramps in Hemodialysis Patients using Citrate Dialysate: A Pilot Study

Background/Aims: Hemodialysis-associated muscle cramp (HAMC) is a common complication under citrate dialysate (CD) occurring in 30% of cases. Our objectives were to assess the gut microbiota quality, mitochondria! activity, and to investigate their possible relationship with HAMC. Methods: Ten end-stage renal disease patients (78.9 +/- 2.1 years) treated by hemodialysis (HD) with CD wereenrolled and then classified according to the frequency of HAMCs: frequent HAMCs group (n = 5) and absence of HAMCs group (n = 5). Gut microbiota quality, mitochondrial activity, and some markers of oxidative stress (OS) were investigated. Results: In patients with cramps, gut microbiota diversity seemed lower and some genera including Helicobacter, Lachnospira, Roseburia, and Haemophilus seemed over-expressed, a significant increase of citratemia and significant lowering mitochondrial function were observed. No difference was observed on the OS markers. Conclusion: This firstclinical study revealed a possible dysbiosis of microbiota and a mitochondrial dysfunction into HD patients with cramps under CD compared to patients without cramp. (C) 2018 S. Karger AG, Basel