Leukocyte activation markers and oxidative status in chronic kidney disease

Aim. In chronic kidney disease (CKD) cardiovascular risk is increased. Oxidative stress is strictly involved in the pathophysiology of this enhanced risk as well as leukocytes' activation. To better elucidate these phaenomena we evaluated some parameters of leukocyte activation and oxidative state on fasting blood samples obtained from CKD patients on conservative or hemodialysis (HD) treatment, compared to those obtained from control subjects. Methods. We enrolled 41 patients (25 men and 16 women, mean age 64.7 +/- 11.1 years) with CKD and 42 patients (21 men and 21 women, mean age 66.83 +/- 14.8 years) with CKD on hemodialysis (HD) treatment. Hemodialyzed patients were evaluated before and after a standard HD session. Leukocyte activation was evaluated by determining plasma elastase and myeloperoxidase level employing ELISA methods. Lipid peroxidation was evaluated as thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), total antioxidant status using spectrophotometry. Results. Elastase was higher in CKD on conservative and on HD treatment and its value increased after the HD session. Myeloperoxidase did not show any variation in CKD on conservative and HD treatment while after HD its value was increased. Lipid peroxidation was increased in CKD on conservative and on HD therapy and its value after dialysis showed no significant variation. Total antioxidant status was increased in CKD on HD treatment and significantly decreased after the HD session; no variation between normal controls and CKD subjects on conservative therapy was observed. Conclusion. Several aspects derive from these data considering the role of oxidative stress in the cardiovascular events that accompany CKD.