Oxidative stress is a feature of most human
diseases. Antioxidant defences protect against them,
however, these dames are not completely adequate.
The sensitive balance between the pro-and antioxidant
forces in the body appears to be very crucial in
determining the state of health, well being and longevity.
This study was done to evaluate the level of plasma
antioxidant enzymes activity (glutathione peroxidase,
superoxide disinutase and catalase) in patients with
chronic renal failure.
Sixty patients were included in this study, they were
divided into two groups: group I (30 patients with
chronic renal failure on maintenance hemodialysis) and
group II (30 patients with different degrees of renal
impairment on conservative management). Thirty healthy
persons were taken as a control group (group III). For all
of them the following was done: medical history, clinical
examination, hemoglobin concentration, hematocrite
value, blood urea, serum creatinine, uric acid, calcium,
phosphorus, fasting and two hours postprandial blood
sugar. serum albumin. 24 urinary protein, creatinine
clearence and blood levels of superoxide dismutase,
glutathione peroxidase and catalase enzymes.
Our results showed that the blood level of superoxide
dismutase was significantly lower in group I than groups
III (P<0.0001). it was significantly lower in group ll than
group III (P<0.0001) and there was no significant
difference between group I and II (P<0.3720).
The blood level of glutathione peroxidase was
significantly lower in group I than group Ill (P<0.0001),
was significantly lower in group II than group Ill
(P<0.117) and significantl) lower in group I than group
II (P<0.001). The plasma level of catalase was significantly lower in
group I than group III (P<0.001), was significantly lower
in group II than group In (P<0.0165) and there was no
significant difference between group I and group II
(P<0.700). There was a significant positive correlation
between hemoglobin concentration and whole blood
superoxide dismutase (N0.5767, P<0.0001), whole blood
glutathione peroxidase (r-0.4886, P<0.0001) and plasma
catalase (N0.2348 P<0.05). The body mass index was significantly lower in group I
than group III (P<0.05), significantly lower in group 11
than group III (P<0.05) and there was an insignificant
difference between group I and II (P>0.05). There was a
significant positive correlation between the body mass
index and the antioxidant enzyme activities: whole blood
superoxide dismutase (P<0.05), whole blood glutathione
peroxidase (P<0.05) and plasma catalase (P<0.05).
Serum albumin level showed a significant positive
correlation with the antioxidant enzyme activities: whole
blood superoxide dismutase (P<0.05). whole blood
glutathione peroxidase (P<0.05) and plasma catalase
(P<0.05). The present study showed impaired activity of the main
antioxidant enzymes in patients with chronic renal
failure, with deterioration of renal function there was
more impairment of these antioxidant enzymes'
activities. Increased oxidative stress could act as an
important mediator in the pathogenesis of some
associated complications of chronic renal failure such as
anemia and malnutrition. Supplementation of the body with antioxidant substances
may be useful for protection against oxidative damage
for patients with chronic renal failure. |
