Hemodialysis-associated Oxidative Stress: Comparison of Helixone® and Polysulfone® Dialyzer

Background: Patients at end stage renal failure require hemodialysis, a process that contributes to oxidative stress, where the quality of hemodialysis membrane plays a key role.

Aim of the Study: We sought to investigate the effect of two different hemodialysis membranes (Helixone® vs Polysulfone®) on several blood biologic and oxidative stress parameters.

Patients and Methods: Among 86 patients of our hemodialysis facility at the University Hospital, 12 patients were included in the study according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. Patients used Polysulfone® membrane in a first step of the study, then they switched to Helixone® membrane. Under the two kinds of membranes, we measured routine biologic parameters, and pre- and post- dialysis plasma oxidative stress parameters (malondialdehyde and Total Anti-Oxidant Activity, as assessed respectively, by the method of thiobarbituric acid, and an anti-oxidant activity commercial kit).

Results: With both Polysulfone® and Helixone® dialyzers, there was an important and significant increase of malondialdehyde upon a single hemodialysis session, however, the increase of malondialdehyde concentration was significantly reduced with Helixone® dialyzer as compared to Polysulfone® one. Plasma total anti-oxidant activity was reduced significantly upon a single hemodialysis session with both dialyzers, however, such a reduction was significantly higher with Polysulfone® (28% reduction) than with Helixone® (11.7% reduction) dialyzer. The levels of other routine blood parameters related to the performance of dialysis process (urea, uric acid, creatinine) under both dialyzers were similar.

Conclusion: Hemodialysis-associated oxidative stress, as assessed by MDA concentration and plasma total anti-oxidant activity, seems to be significantly reduced with Helixone® dialyzer when compared to Polysulfone® dialyzer. This difference may bring positive impact on hemodialysis-associated side effects on cardiovascular and cerebrovascular systems.