Does Indoxyl Sulfate Have a Role in Uremic Pruritus?

Does Indoxyl Sulfate Have a Role in Uremic Pruritus? A Laboratory and Interventional Study.

Itching is a widespread and disturbing complain from patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD); epidemiologic data have suggested that approximately 40% of patients with end-stage renal disease experience moderate to severe itching. The pathogenesis of renal pruritus is multifactorial. Triggering factors may include uremia-related abnormalities, accumulation of uremic toxins, systemic inflammation and cutaneous xerosis. Indoxyl sulfate (IS) is a protein-bound uremic toxin resulting from the metabolism of dietary tryptophan accumulating in patients with end-stage renal disease.

Patients with end-stage renal disease undergoing hemodialysis complaining of itching not related to other cause than renal failure will take activated charcoal with foods and serum level of indoxyl sulphate will be studied

Inclusion Criteria:

Patients with end-stage renal failure with itching undergoing regular hemodialysis

Exclusion Criteria:

Patients with other causes of itching as psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, scabies, and lichen planus