Failure of histidine supplementation to improve anemia in chronic dialysis patients.

Failure of histidien supplementation to improve anemia in chronic dialysis patients was seen in six patients after a study period of 8 weeks. Serum amino acid levels were elevated to normal by supplementation with 1 g of oral histidine/day in all patients. There was no significant change in serum iron or transferrin levels, hematocrit, or red cell mass in five of the six patients. Histidine supplementation may raise serum amino acid levels, but does not cause any increase in red cell mass or improve the anemia in patients on chronic dialysis who are ingesting adequate dietary protein.