Copper, zinc, selenium, cadmium and lead levels in plasma of hemodialysis patients

Hemodialysis patients are at risk of developing trace elements imbalance and increase in heavy metals. The objective of this study was to asses plasma levels of copper, zinc, selenium, cadmium and lead of hemodialysis patients. The study comprised 40 patients aged 27-65 years under regular hemodialysis for 1.8-13 years and 28 healthy age and sex matched the control. Copper, zinc, selenium, cadmium and lead plasma levels were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Levels of copper, zinc and selenium were significantly decreased in dialysis patients compared with the control group; the percentage decrease was 25.5%, 20.4% and 19.0% for copper zinc and selenium, respectively. Moreover, cadmium and lead plasma levels showed significant increases among hemodialysis patients versus their matched controls with percentage of 144.6% and 28.1% for cadmium and lead, respectively. Levels of trace elements are altered and heavy metals showed increased plasma levels by hemodialysis. Regular monitoring of trace elements and heavy metals in hemodialytic patients is advisable

Retinol and alpha-tocopherol levels among hemodialysis patients

Plasma retinol, alpha tocopherol, total cholesterol and triglycerides were measured in 40 patients aged 27-65 years, under regular hemodialysis [HD] for 1.8-13 years at Ahmed Maher teaching Hospital and in 28 healthy age and sex matched control. Predialysis and postdialysis measurements were also, done for a subset of 13 hemodialytic patients. Among hemodialytic patients,all values [Plasma retinol,alpha- tocopherol, total cholesterol and triglycerides]were significantly higher [p < 0.05] with respect to healthy control .The ratio of retinol to total cholesterol was significantly higher, while alpha-tocopherol to total cholesterol ratio was insignificant .In almost all hemodialytic patients, plasma retinol was at toxic level [> 100 ug /dl] except for one patient . On the other hand,alpha-tocopherol level in hemodialytic patients was ranged between deficiency [<650 ug/dl] in about 6 [15%] of them, marginal level [650-860 ug/dl] at 3 [8%], while 9 [23%] had normal level [860-1080ug/ dl] and the rest 22 [54%] were in the optimum level [> 1080 ug/dl]. Comparing predialysis and postdialysis measurements, the hemodialytic patients showed non significant difference concerning retinol level, while alpha tocopherol was significantly decreased in postdialytic state .In conclusion ; further studies are needed to answer, if hemodialytic patients are at risk for symptomatic vitamin A toxicity?. Even with normal or low plasma vitamin E, it is needed as an antioxidant accessory therapy in hemodialytic patients