Regional variations of low-density lipoprotein oxidizability in hemodialysis patients may explain discrepancies in interventional therapy on oxidative profile.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study aimed at evaluating oxidative stress (OS) markers (i) in a cross-sectional study of hemodialysis (HD) patients to investigate potential regional effects of these markers and (ii) in a prospective crossover study to evaluate vitamin E-coated membrane (VE) effects.

METHODS

At baseline, OS parameters including low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidizability were measured in HD patients from five dialysis facilities. Patients were then randomly assigned to two treatment groups: group I patients (n = 33) switching to VE, and group II patients (n = 29) still using reference polysulfone (PS) membrane. After 3 months, patients were switched from VE to PS and vice versa for 6 months. The same OS parameters were measured after each period.

RESULTS

At baseline, the cross-sectional analysis of LDL oxidizability showed a regional effect. By contrast, the crossover study did not show beneficial effects of VE on this parameter.

CONCLUSION

Regional variations of LDL oxidizability in HD patients exist and may explain discrepancies in interventional therapy on OS.