Erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase activity and its relation to selenium status in chronic renal failure

ABSTRACT

Plasma selenium [Se] level and erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase [GPX] activity were studied in 10 patients on maintenance hemodialysis [HD] group I], 10 uremic patients [group II] and 10 healthy subjects [group III]. Plasma Se levels and erythrocyte GPX activity were significantly lower in HD group [6.52+1.58 ug/dl for Se and 11 64 +/- 2.69 u/g H[b] for erythrocyte GPX] and in uremic patients [7.46 +/- 1.33 ug/dl, and 14.74 +/- 1.94 u/g H[b] respectively] vs the control group [9.97 +/- 1.2 ug/dl and 18.65 +/- 2.15 ug/H[b]]. A significant correlation was found between the two parameters in HD group [r=0.8939, p< 0.001]. These results confirm the existence of a defective antioxidant activity which may contribute to increased peroxidative damage to cells in chronic renal failure [CRF] with or without hemodialysis