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Background: This study has been undertaken to investigate the possible alterations of oxidant/antioxidant status in uremic patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD) and the effects of vitamin E supplementation. Methods: Erythrocyte antioxidant enzyme activities [glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT)] and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) concentrations as a measure of lipid peroxidation in HD patients have been determined and compared with healthy controls. The patient group consisted of 36 uremic patients 21-75 years of age undergoing maintenance HD three times weekly for an average of 41 months. The efficiency of Vitamin E therapy in dialysis patients was also assessed by re-evaluating antioxidant status of the same patients after supplementation of the vitamin E in a dosage of 600 mg/daily for 14 weeks. Results: A significant decrease in the activities of erythrocyte SOD, CAT and GSHPx and a significant increase in TBARS concentrations were found in patient group compared to control group (p < 0.001). A significant correlation between GSHPx activities and duration of HD therapy was also observed (r= - 0.46,p < 0.01). Vitamin E supplementation caused an increase in GSHPx and SOD activities and a decrease in TBARS concentrations. A slight but not significant increase in CAT activity was also observed by Vitamin E. Conclusions: The results suggest the presence of an oxidative activity and the possible preventive role of Vitamin E therapy in uremic patients undergoing HD. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.