Haemolysis in haemodialysis patients: Evidence for impaired defence mechanisms against oxidative stress

Talia Weinstein, Avry Chagnac, Asher Korzets, Mona Boaz, Yaacov Ori, Michal Herman, Tsipora Malachi, Uzi Gafter

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

72 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background. Uraemic patients have a decreased ability to withstand oxidative stress. It is postulated that their antioxidant capacity is reduced, yet the mechanism remains unclear. Recently 33 haemodialysis (HD) patients were exposed to chloramine contamination in the water supply. This led to haemolysis in 24 patients, while nine were unaffected. In the former group haemoglobin decreased from 11.7 ± 1.1 to 8.5 ± 1.4 g/dl (P < 0.0001) and returned to 11.4 ± 0.9 g/dl (P < 0.0001) following recovery. During haemolysis, haptoglobin was 38.4 ± 10.6 vs 138.1 ± 8.3 ng/dl (P < 0.0001) following recovery. Methods. To explore the factors affecting the severity of haemolysis we studied extracellular and intracellular anti-oxidant defence mechanisms 3 months after recovery. In 29 patients and 20 controls we determined plasma glutathione (GSH), and the erythrocyte enzymes glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione reductase (GSH-Rx), and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Serum malondialdehyde (MDA) was measured as a marker of oxidative stress. Results. Plasma GSH was lower in patients as compared to controls (5.49 ± 0.26 vs 7.4 ± 0.5 μmol/l, P < 0.005). There was an inverse correlation between GSH and the degree of haemolysis (r = -0.42, P < 0.02). Patients had higher GSH-Rx (4.64 ± 0.15 vs 3.97 ± 0.12 U/gHb, P < 0.02), lower GSH-Px (29.7 ± 1.85 vs 35.5 ± 1.62 U/gHb, P < 0.001), and similar SOD (0.63 ± 0.02 vs 0.51 ± 0.02 U/mgHb) as compared to controls. There was no correlation between the enzyme levels and the degree of haemolysis. MDA was higher in patients (2.37 ± 0.07 vs 0.97 ± 0.1 nmol/ml, P < 0.0001). There was a correlation between MDA and the years patients were on HD (r = 0.43, P < 0.02). Conclusions. These data indicate that HD patients have an impaired anti-oxidant response, which may be attributed in part, to plasma GSH deficiency. Patients with the lowest plasma GSH levels are more susceptible to oxidative stress and consequent haemolysis.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)883-887
Number of pages5
JournalNephrology Dialysis Transplantation
Volume15
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - 2000

Keywords

  • Chloramines
  • Glutathione
  • Haemodialysis
  • Haemolysis
  • Malondialdehyde

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