title: Effects of Vitamin E-Coated versus Conventional Membranes in Chronic Hemodialysis Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Accruing evidence suggests that vitamin E-coated membranes (ViE-m) might improve the clinical management of chronic hemodialysis (HD) patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs comparing ViE-m to conventional HD. Endpoints of interest were a series of biomarkers pertaining to anemia status, inflammation, oxidative stress and dialysis efficacy/status.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixty studies were included. ViE-m significantly improved the Erythropoietin Resistance Index but had no impact on other anemia parameters. As for oxidative stress and inflammation, ViE-m produced a significant decrease in interleukin-6 levels, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, plasma and red blood cell (RBC) malonylaldehyde and a significant increase in blood and RBC vitamin E. Conversely, ViE-m use had no impact on lipid profile, dialysis adequacy, blood pressure, albumin and uric acid.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ViE-m might ameliorate anemia management by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation. Benefits of these bio-membranes on harder clinical outcomes are uncertain and need to be investigated by future, targeted trials.
authors.affiliation: CNR - Institute of Clinical Physiology, Reggio Calabria, Italy.
authors.forename: Graziella
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: D'Arrigo
authors.forename: Rossella
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Baggetta
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tripepi
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Galli
authors.forename: Davide
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bolignano
mesh_terms: D000740:Anemia / Q000517:prevention & control; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000517:prevention & control; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000628:therapy; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D014810:Vitamin E