Oxide in hemodialysis patients

Nitric oxide (NO) is a molecule that has an important role in many physiological and pathological conditions, necessitating more studies to elucidate its function in various diseases. Patients with renal failure present impaired NO activity that may influence disease development and prognosis. The aim of the study was to measure NO in hemodialysis (HD) patients as related to HD duration and erythropoietin (rhEpo) therapy. The NO concentration was measured in 76 HD patients and 30 healthy control subjects. The patients were divided into three groups by the duration of HD: group I, 10 years (n=28). The HD patients were divided into two groups based on the receipt of rhEpo therapy: group I without rhEpo therapy (n=37) and group II with rhEpo therapy (n=39). In an evaluation study of NO level after the 6th month of rhEpo therapy, the HD patients were divided into 2 groups: group I without rhEpo therapy (n=20) and group II with rhEpo therapy (n=27). The NO level in HD patients was measured at 0, 3 and 6 months. Routine haematological parameters were assayed along with NO. HD patients presented an increased NO level compared to controls (p<0.001). There were no statistical differences in NO levels observed among the HD duration groups. Patients receiving rhEPO supplementation therapy with rhEpo presented decreased NO levels (p<0.01). In the evaluation study, HD patients receiving rhEpo therapy again presented lower NO levels (p<0.05). These results indicate that the increased NO values observed in HD patients is are probably due to the induction of HD membrane and/or a lack of renal excretion. Erythropoietin therapy decreased NO levels, which may improve patient condition and contribute to better disease outcome.