OXIDATIVE STRESS AND ERYTHROCYTE-MEMBRANE FLUIDITY IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING REGULAR DIALYSIS

Oxidative damage due to free radical production is increased in uraemi c patients and has been suggested as a possible factor contributing to the anaemia of chronic renal failure (CRF) and the pathogenesis of at herosclerosis. Oxidative stress was assessed in 40 patients with CRF m aintained by either haemodialysis (HD) or continuous ambulatory perito neal dialysis (CAPD) and in 18 healthy controls. Lipid peroxidation (a ssessed as malondialdehyde, MDA), total glutathione (TG), antioxidant enzyme (glutathione reductase (GSHRx), glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD)) activity and antioxidant associated tr ace metal (selenium, copper, zinc) levels were studied. Erythrocyte me mbrane fluidity was examined using the fluorescent probe 1,6 diphenyl- 1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH). The results indicate increased levels of oxida tive stress and altered erythrocyte membrane fluidity in patients trea ted with CAPD compared with controls and patients treated with HD. Onl y minor changes were observed in patients treated with HD. Altered fre e radical activity, oxidative stress and altered erythrocyte membrane fluidity observed in patients with CRF may contribute to the increase in vascular disease in such patients and to the anaemia of CRF.