[The effect of human recombinant erythropoietin on the lipid peroxidation processes and antioxidant protection of the erythrocytes in patients with chronic kidney failure on hemodialysis].

Twenty patients with terminal-stage chronic renal failure (CRF) underwent long-term hemodialysis. Ten of them (group 1) did not receive human erythropoietin (HEP), four patients (group 2) received HEP for 1 month, six patients (group 3) for 12 months. Group 3 patients exhibited a marked increase in Hb, hematocrit, red cell number, while serum Fe was reduced. MDA rose in group 1 by 34% (p < 0.05), in group 2 by 199% (p < 0.05), was normal in group 3. Red cell catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities were normal. The results evidence that 1-month HEP treatment enhances oxidant degradation of erythrocytic membrane lipids. Lipid peroxidation becomes normal to the end of 1-year HEP treatment despite low SOD activity. Application of HEP in CRF patients is advisable to combine with antioxidant modalities to intensify red cell resistance to hemodialysis.