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.