OXIDATION OF LOW-DENSITY-LIPOPROTEIN IN HEMODIALYSIS-PATIENTS - EFFECT OF DIALYSIS AND COMPARISON WITH MATCHED CONTROLS

End stage renal failure is associated with lipoprotein abnormalities a nd a high prevalence of premature atherosclerosis. Oxidative modificat ion of low density lipoprotein (LDL) may be promoted by hemodialysis i ncreasing its atherogenicity. The oxidative status of LDL was therefor e examined in female subjects before and after routine hemodialysis (H D; n = 10) and compared with women of similar age without significant renal disease (n = 19). There were no significant differences between the groups in the LDL fatty acid composition, or in the content of rea ctive amino acid groups (lysine) before or after exposure to Cu2+. The kinetics of LDL oxidation by Cu2+ showed no significant differences b etween the groups with respect to the lag time, the level of conjugate d dienes before and after oxidation, or the maximal rate of oxidation during the propagation phase. No acute effects of HD were demonstrated . The present study provides no evidence that circulating LDL isolated from HD patients is more extensively modified or more susceptible to oxidation in vitro than gender-matched controls without renal failure. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.