REDUCED GLUTATHIONE FOR THE TREATMENT OF ANEMIA DURING HEMODIALYSIS -A PRELIMINARY COMMUNICATION

In 4 chronic hemodialysis patients we have tested whether the administ ration of reduced glutathione (GSH; Glutamed(R), Boehringer Mannheim I talia; 1,200 mg i.v.) at the end of each hemodialytic session during 9 0 days could minimize oxidative damage to the red blood cells (RBC) an d reduce the recombinant human erythropoietin requirements. Treatment with GSH was followed by an increase in RBC GSH content (n = 3), a nor malization of the ascorbine cyanide test (n = 4), an increase in RBC s urvival (n = 3), and a reduction in 2 patients of the erythropoietin n eed (41 and 26%, respectively, after 3 months of therapy). When the GS H supplements were terminated, we noticed after 3 months a reestablish ment of the baseline values. On the other hand, malonyldialdehyde, RBC deformability, and RBC splenic pool were abnormal before and remain a bnormal during the test period. Since no adverse reactions were notice d, these findings seem to indicate that GSH could ameliorate the intra erythrocytic oxidative defense and could be as useful drug in the trea tment of anemia in patients affected by chronic renal failure.