Natural Antioxidants and Oxidative Stress Markers in Hemodialysis Patients

BackgroundRenal failure is accompanied by oxidative stress. An optimum intake of antioxidants is thought to be important to protect against oxidative damage. This study looked at the effects of dietary supplementation on antioxidant status and lipid peroxidation in hemodialysis patients.MethodsDuring the study period, 34 patients who were undergoing regular hemodialysis consumed a fruit and vegetable diet. The effect of dietary supplementation was assessed by measurement of blood enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant status and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, before and after intervention.ResultsA significant increase in the levels of vitamins A and C, and superoxide dismutase activity was observed after 8 weeks of supplementation (p < 0.001), whereas no significant variation was found in the levels of vitamin E and MDA (p > 0.05).ConclusionThe findings indicate that low intake of antioxidant vitamins in the short term improves the levels of vitamins A and C as well as superoxide dismutase activity, but MDA level as a marker of lipid peroxidation does not change significantly. The effects of long-term dietary supplementation on oxidant/antioxidant levels in hemodialysis patients remain to be clarified.