The effect of lipoate on anaerobic cysteine metabolism in erythrocytes of patients treated with peritoneal dialysis

Abstract

Background: The studies aimed to evaluate the changes in cysteine sulfur metabolism in erythrocytes of end-stage renal failure (ESRF) patients treated with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) caused by a one-month lipoate (LA) supplementation at a daily dose of 600 mg.

Methods: The level of sulfane sulfur and activity of sulfurtransferases were determined in erythrocytes of CAPD patients and in the control group.

Results: The sulfane sulfur level in erythrocytes of CAPD patients did not differ compared with healthy volunteers but LA supplementation increased the reactive sulfur concentration. LA elevated also cystathionase activity.

Conclusions: LA supplementation in ESRF patients treated with CAPD increases the sulfane sulfur level which indicates the augmentation of its antioxidant and regulatory properties.

Keywords: Hydrogen sulfide; Lipoic acid; Peritoneal dialysis; Sulfane sulfur; Sulfurtransferases.