Global assessment of serum antioxidant status in hemodialysis patients.

Background: Since chronic renal failure (CRF) was described as a state of oxidant/antioxidant imbalance augmented after hemodialysis (HD) initiation, we assessed the total antioxidant activity and single antioxidants in sera from uremic patients dialyzed or not, compared to subjects with normal renal function.

Methods: Serum total antioxidant activity (TAA--measured as Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity; mmol/L), total plasma free thiols (Pt-SH; micromol/g protein), albumin (g/dL) and uric acid (mg/dL) were determined in 19 hemodialyzed patients, 15 CRF non-dialyzed patients (serum creatinine (Cr) = 4.4 +/- 2.

Intravenous iron supplementation for the treatment of anaemia in pre-dialyzed chronic renal failure patients.

Background: Intravenous iron is a recognized therapy of anaemia in chronic haemodialyzed patients, especially in those receiving erythropoietin (Epo), while its role in the anaemia of pre-dialyzed chronic renal failure (CRF) patients is much less clear. This study attempted to evaluate the effects of intravenous iron in anaemic pre-dialyzed patients.

Methods: Sixty anaemic (haemoglobin<11 g/dl) non-diabetic patients with moderate CRF [32 males, 28 females; mean age 52.

Nephrology and renal replacement therapy in Romania--transition still continues (Cinderella story revisited).

Unlabelled: INTRODUCTION. This report describes the current status of nephrology and renal replacement therapy (RRT) in Romania, a country with previously limited facilities, highlighting national changes in the European context.

Methods: Trends in RRT development were analysed in 2003, on a national basis, using the same questionnaires as in previous surveys (1991, 1995).

Nephrology and renal replacement therapy in Romania.

Background: In the context of the transformation of the Health Systems of Central and Eastern European countries, the role of professional associations is increasing, especially as regards data collection, analysis, and implementation of programmes for development of nephrology and renal replacement therapy (RRT).

Methods: The Romanian Renal Registry sent questionnaires to the heads of Haemodialysis and Nephrology Centres. The need for renal replacement therapy was deduced from the annual incidence (127 patients p.

Effect of hemodialysis on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant system in patients with chronic renal failure.

Plasma and blood lipid peroxidation, activity of erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD), and serum antioxidant activity (AOA) in uremic patients were examined before and 15 and 30 minutes after the start of dialysis. Hemodialysis was found to produce increased lipid peroxidation in plasma and blood and a simultaneous decrease of SOD activity. The extracellular antioxidant systems were evaluated by the assay of ceruloplasmin level, which did not modify significantly during the dialysis.