Dielectric Measurements of Hemoglobin Macromolecules as an Indicator of Chronic Renal Failure

This study investigated variations in the dielectric properties of hemoglobin molecules before and after hemodialysis in patients suffering from chronic renal failure. Dielectric parameters evaluated in this study include the loss factor (D), the relaxation time (tau), the dielectric increment (Delta epsilon), the relative permittivity (epsilon'), the dielectric loss (epsilon ''), the conductivity (sigma), and the Cole-Cole parameters (alpha). These parameters were measured in the frequency range of 20 Hz-3 MHz. Twenty chronic renal failure patients under regular hemodialysis for 12 hours per week were evaluated, and ten healthy individuals provided a control group. Significant variations were seen in dielectric parameters between chronic renal failure patients (before and after hemodialysis) and control subjects. The D, epsilon', sigma, and epsilon '' showed higher values in chronic renal failure patients before hemodialysis compared with control values, and these parameters decreased after hemodialysis. Chronic renal failure patients under regular hemodialysis demonstrated remarkable changes in hemoglobin conformation and structure. These changes might be due to hemoglobin unfolding, changes in molecular size, and uremic toxins, confirmed by red blood cell deformability. This study can be used as a beneficial diagnostic tool for patients suffering from chronic renal failure.