Lipid peroxidation and vitamin E in red blood cells and plasma in hemodialysis patients under rhEPO treatment.

Lipid peroxidation, measured by malonyldialdehyde (MDA) and vitamin E in red blood cells (RBC) and plasma, was investigated in 25 hemodialysis (HD) patients before and after 6 months rhEPO therapy. RBC-MDA was significantly elevated, but plasma MDA was in the reference range. After recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) treatment, the MDA level was significantly decreased in both compartments. Marked vitamin E deficiency was established in RBC as well as in plasma. rhEPO therapy restored vitamin E levels in both compartments. Our data suggest a possible positive rhEPO-antioxidant effect in HD patients.