Oxidative Damage in 
Erythrocytes from Patients with Renal Transplant

Keimyung Medical Journal 2000;19(1):61-68.

Oxidative Damage in Erythrocytes from Patients with Renal Transplant

신장 이식 환자의 적혈구에서 산화적 손상

정상호; 문교철

Abstract

Patients with end stage renal failure display increased oxidative damage to red blood cell (RBC) membranes; characterized by elevated levels of malondialdehyde; a short chain aldehyde produced by the oxidation of the polyunsaturated fatty acids in the RBC membranes. This oxidative damage induces increased RBC rigidity and decreased RBC deformability; therefore favoring hemolysis in patients. The aim of this work was to determine whether renal graft would reduce the oxidative damage or not. Malondialdehyde and three well known antioxidant enzymes were measured in controls; and patients with renal graft or end stage renal disease. Malondialdehyde and glutathine peroxidase levels in patients with end stage renal disease were higher than those from healthy controls. Superoxide dismutase and catalase activities in patients with end stage renal disease were lower. These all parameters in the shortened (RBCs )from renal graft were normalized. These results indicate that a well-functioning renal graft restores the normal activities of antioxidant enzymes in RBCs; thus results in the elimination of the oxidative damage induced by uremia.

Key Words: Catalase, Glutathione peroxidase, Oxidative damage, Superoxide dismutase