RESUMEN
Global warming and climate change represent the most significant threats to humanity in the 21st century, both of which are manmade catastrophes. Addressing climate change requires corrective action across all aspects of modern human life and work, including the medical field. Among healthcare sectors, dialysis units stand out as major contributors to plastic waste and excessive water consumption. It is imperative for hemodialysis units to lead by example in the judicious use of natural resources. This systemic review is aimed to establish a bare minimum of recommendations for environmental sustainability across Indian dialysis units, and to guide future initiatives to reduce the environmental impact of dialysis process. A literature search was conducted on PubMed, and Google to retrieve articles or studies related to green dialysis. The predefined keyword search yielded a total of 291 studies. A total of 54 studies and articles which were relevant to study question, and fulfilled inclusion criteria, were retrieved and analyzed to form opinions on the implementation of green dialysis initiatives from an Indian perspective. Green dialysis initiatives are much-needed reforms to be adopted by the Indian dialysis community. Through careful planning and minimal efforts, substantial amounts of water used in hemodialysis can be conserved and repurposed for other hospital activities. Similarly, the vast majority of discarded plastic waste can be recycled or reused. Despite controversy, reconsidering the risk-benefit aspects of dialyzer reuse is essential, particularly in the context of resource-limited developing nations like India.
RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Present study aimed to study effect of Salacia Chinensis, a herbal drug, on stabilization of renal functions, and markers of endothelial dysfunction in diabetic chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 30 stable diabetic CKD patients were randomized into 2 groups; group A and B of 15 patients each. Group A was given trial drug Salacia chinensis 1000 mg twice-daily while group B received placebo. Measures of renal function: Serum creatinine and creatinine clearance; markers of endothelial dysfunction: Interleukin-6 and serum Homocysteine, and lipid profile were measured at baseline and during follow-up period of 6 months. RESULTS: There was stabilization of renal function as measured by serum creatinine and creatinine clearance in patients who received Salacia Chinensis compared to placebo (P value < 0.05), suggesting that Salacia chinensis may retard the progression of chronic kidney disease. Similarly, there was significant decline in both serum homocysteine and IL-6 levels. [P value < 0.05 for both]. CONCLUSION: This pilot study showed a promising role for Salacia chinensis as a renoprotective drug, but further prospective studies involving large number of patients are needed to confirm this and also to delineate possible mechanisms.