The Pharmacologic Effect of Oral Α-tocopherol Supplementation on Oxidative Stress in Chronic Renal Failure

Abstract

The pharmacological effect of α-tocopherol on plasma and erythrocyte lipid peroxidation were investigated in chronic renal failure (CRF) patients. The indices of oxidative stress were measured in 4 CRF patients of before and after oral supplementation of α-tocopherol 100 mg daily for 30 days and in 7 unsupplemented CRF patients using as control. In supplemented group, the results showed a significant increases in plasma and erythrocyte vitamin E levels, while the levels were unchanged in unsupplemented patients. In patients receiving α-tocopherol, both plasma and RBC lipid peroxidation values were significantly decreased. In addition, the osmotic fragility of red blood cells represented by median glycerol lysis time was significantly increased (p<0.01). In conclusion, oral supplementation of α-tocopherol may be of protective value on oxidative stress in chronic renal failure patients and may have clinical benefit in alleviating the associated by reducing the fragility of red blood cells.