Abstract
Secondary hyperparathyroidism has been suggested as a cause of itching in chronic renal failure. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the possible role of parathyroid hormone (PTH) in pruritus affecting patients undergoing maintenance haemodialysis. In agreement with our previous findings, patients with pruritus had significantly (P less than 0.01) higher serum levels of PTH fragment 53-68 (m-PTH53-68) than patients without pruritus, 47.7 +/- 40.0 and 23.4 +/- 17.1 micrograms l-1 respectively. Serum concentrations of other substances including calcium, phosphate and magnesium did not differ between the two groups of patients. Intradermal injections of human PTH1-34 and PTH44-68 failed to evoke any acute or delayed cutaneous reactions in either patients or controls. Immunohistochemical investigations of skin biopsies from uraemic patients using several different antibodies against PTH were negative. Thus, the present results do not support PTH as a peripheral mediator of uraemic itching.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
