Hemodialysis Alters Lipid Profiles, Total Antioxidant Capacity, and Vitamins A, E, and C Concentrations in Humans

Although hemodialysis (HD) is essential for end-stage renal disease patients, at the same time it causes oxidative stress and long-term pro-atherosclerotic effects. This study aimed to determine lipid profile as well as the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and vitamins A, E, and C in HD patients. The study enrolled 31 patients (50.3 +/- 14.9 years old) undergoing maintenance 4-hour HD three times per week with a polysulfone membrane dialyzer for a mean of 76.1 months (range, 7-120 months) and 31 healthy individuals (47.8 +/- 13.9 years old). Lipid profiles were determined spectrophotometrically using commercially available kits. Total antioxidant capacity was determined by ferric reducing/antioxidant power assay, levels of vitamins A and E were assayed using high-pressure liquid chromatography, and the level of vitamin C was measured by a photometric method. Our results showed that before HD, the levels of TAC and vitamin A were significantly higher than in normal subjects, whereas the levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and vitamin C were lower than in control subjects (P<.001). There was no significant difference between normal subjects and patients before dialysis regarding low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and vitamin E levels (P>.05). After HD, the levels of HDL-cholesterol, vitamins E and C, and TAC decreased significantly (P<.001), but the decreased level of vitamin A still remained higher than controls (P<.05), whereas the levels of LDL were significantly higher than controls (P<.001). In conclusion, alterations in the lipoprotein profiles and antioxidant markers following HD suggest an increased risk of atherosclerosis in these patients.