title: Assessment of DNA strand breakage by the alkaline COMET assay in dialysis patients and the role of Vitamin E supplementation.
abstract: Although the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in chronic renal failure (CRF) is not definitely demonstrated, a consistent number of observations has provided evidence for the presence of oxidative stress in uremic patients undergoing maintenance dialysis. In order to investigate this hypothesis further and to understand the role of antioxidant supplementation, peripheral blood lymphocytes were taken from 36 dialysis patients before and after Vitamin E supplementation in a dosage of 600 mg per day (2x300 mg) for 14 weeks and examined in the alkaline Comet assay for DNA strand breakage. The results were also compared with those of 36 controls with comparable age, sex, and smoking habits, and with no history of renal disease. The DNA breakage observed in the lymphocytes of patients before Vitamin E supplementation was significantly higher than in the controls (P<0.001) but a clear protective effect of Vitamin E supplementation were observed after 14 weeks of therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Erdal
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kan
authors.forename: Ulkü
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Undeğer
authors.forename: Musa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bali
authors.forename: Nurşen
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Başaran
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020552:Comet Assay; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000187:drug effects*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D012907:Smoking / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics; D014511:Uremia / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D014810:Vitamin E