The calcium concentration of peritoneal dialysis solution modifies levels of key mediators of peritoneal fibrosis

BACKGROUND: To explore the effects of different calcium concentrations of peritoneal dialysis solution (PDS) on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) and expression of vimentin (VIM), fibroblast‐specific protein (FSP1), and E‐cadherin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a pilot study (#ChiCTR1900021387) conducted from January 2017 to December 2019 at the Hospital. The patients were randomized to undergo CAPD using PDS with a calcium concentration of 1.25 mmol/L (low concentration group) or 1.75 mmol/L (high concentration group). Changes in biochemistry before dialysis and at 6 and 12 months were analyzed. RESULTS: There were 50 and 52 participants in the low and high calcium groups. The blood biochemical indexes were all different between the two groups (all P (time) < .05, P (group) < .05, P (interaction) < .05), but they remained within their normal ranges. VIM and FSP1 increased over 12 months (P (time) < .05); VIM and FSP1 levels in the high concentration group were higher than in the low concentration group (P (group) < .05, P (interaction) < .05), while E‐cadherin showed the inverse association (P (time) < .001, P (group) < .001, P (interaction) < .001). There was no difference in complications (P = .973). CONCLUSION: The calcium concentration in PDS might be an important factor affecting the progression of peritoneal fibrosis.