Chronic viral hepatitis C, oxidative stress and the coagulation/fibrinolysis system in haemodialysis patients

Introduction

The aim of the present study was to establish whether the presence of chronic viral hepatitis (PVH) could be implicated in the elevation of oxidative stress (SOX) and haemostasis system in haemodialysis (HD) patients.

Matherials and methods

In HD patients with and without PVH and in controls we compared the markers of: coagulation pathway- tissue factor (TF) and its inhibitor (TFPI), prothrombin fragment F _1 + 2 (F _1 + 2); fibrinolysis: tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA), urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) and its soluble receptor (suPAR), plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1), plasmin/antiplasmin complexes (PAP); and a marker of SOX - Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn SOD) levels.

Results

Patients, particularly those with PVH, showed a significant increase in the markers of the coagulation, fibrinolysis and oxidative status as compared to controls. All parameters of coagulation/fibrinolysis system were directly associated with the PVH and Cu/Zn SOD levels, and there was a relationship between the PVH and Cu/Zn SOD levels. Multivariable analysis showed that PVH and increased SOX were identified as independent variables significantly associated with the disturbances of coagulation/fibrinolysis system in these patients.

Conclusions

We concluded that PVH is a novel determinant of the increased oxidative stress as well as the disturbances of coagulation/fibrinolysis system in haemodialysis patients.