Reduced Free Radical Scavengers and Chronic Renal Failure
LEENA ONG-AJYOOTH, M.D.*, KANYA TIENSONG, M.S.**, SOMPONG ONG-AJYOOTH, B.Sc. (Pharm), M.S.**, SANGA NILWARANGKUR, MD.*
Affiliation : * Renal Unit, Department of Medicine, ** Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand.
Abstract
Endogenous oxygen radical scavengers such as glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase
(CAT), glutathione and vitamin E are powerful regulatory systems against free radical toxicity.
These oxidative injuries are increased in patients with chronic renal failure leading to various abnor-
malities including anemia. In this study, activities of GSH-Px, CAT, glutathione and vitamin E
were measured in the erythrocytes of 54 chronic renal failure patients compared with 32 healthy
controls. GSH-Px activities were lower significantly from controls (20.5 ± 6.79 vs 28.3 ± 9.0 u/gHb,
p < 0.001). Erythrocytes CAT (6.52 ± 2.3 vs 7.54 ± 1.9 u/gHb, p < 0.05), glutathione (63.59 ± 20.2
vs 75.1 ± 6.3 mg/dl, p < 0.05) vit. E (2.23 ± 0.53 vs 3.38 ± 0.44 g/ml RBC, p < 0.001) were also
lower in the patients group. Plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) known as lipid peroxidation pro-
duct was higher significantly than controls (p < 0.001 ). Abnormal erythrocyte osmotic fragility
test, expressed by glycerol lysis time (GLT50) was found in the patients group (p < 0.001) and cor-
related significantly with RBC vitamin E.
Results demontrated defects in erythrocytes enzymatic antioxidant defense mechanism in
chronic renal failure patients. To improve antioxidant systems seems to be promising in preventing
hemolysis and anemia in these patients.
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