Erythrocyte catalase activity in chronic renal failure patients and donors in the presence of metal ions.

The effect of hemodialysis on erythrocyte catalase (CAT) activity was studied in chronic renal failure (CRF) patients. This enzyme was analyzed in vitro, and its activity throughout the incubation period was found to be 34% lower than in healthy donors. The influence of Al3+, Cu2+, and Ni2+ on CAT activity in donor's blood (in vitro) is also studied, for short incubation periods at trace levels of 2.5, 0.25, and 0.196 mM, respectively. With Al3+ and Cu2+, there is a decrease in the enzyme activity. With Ni2+, there is at first a similar decrease, followed by a recovery in activity up to control values.