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).