The effects of intravenous iron treatment on oxidant stress and erythrocyte deformability in hemodialysis patients

BACKGROUND: It is well known that free iron causes oxidant stress to increase. However data concerning whether intravenously (I.V) administered iron in maintenance doses (10-20 mg) gives rise to increased oxidant stress and disturbed erythrocyte deformability (EDEF) in hemodialysis (HD) patients is lacking. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate and compare the effects of I.V iron on oxidant stress and EDEF. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirteen HD patients (10 males, 3 females, mean age: 49.9 +/- 13.4 years), given I.V iron were included in the study. All patients were undergone three consecutive HD session. The first HD session was performed without iron administration (Group 1), whereas in the following sessions the same patients were given 20 mg (Group 2) and 100 mg (Group 3) iron III hydroxide sucrose (Venofer--Abdi Ibrahim) I.V at the end of the dialysis session. In study periods, 7 blood samples were drawn from each patient: before dialysis, at the end of the dialysis (just after the session), 15, 30, 60, 90 and 120 minutes after each dialysis session. However 15 minute samples were not drawn in the third group, since I.V iron was given by infusion in 30 minutes. EDEF and plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) were studied in all samples. RESULTS: When the results of the session without iron were considered, bivariate correlation analysis did not reveal any correlation between MDA and EDEF. When the course of each parameter were considered separately, MDA levels 90 and 120 minutes after HD session were significantly higher than that of the before and just after the HD session (p < 0.05). Whereas EDEF in 60, 90 and 120 minutes after HD session was found to be worsened when compared to before and just after HD sessions' values (p < 0.05). When results of the session with 20 mg iron were considered, EDEF and MDA values were not found to be correlated and throughout the course. Although EDEF did not present any significant change, MDA levels 60, 90 and 120 minutes after HD session were found to be significantly higher than that of the 15 and 30 minutes after HD session (p < 0,05). When results of the session with 100 mg iron were considered, MDA levels 30, 60, 90 and 120 minutes after HD session were found to be significantly higher than that of the before and just after the HD sessions' (p < 0,05). EDEF in 90 and 120 minutes after HD session was improved and no correlation between MDA and EDEF was observed. When groups were compared with each other, plasma MDA levels in session with 100 mg iron at the beginning, at the end and 30 minutes after HD were significantly lower than that of the without iron group (p < 0.05). Similarly MDA levels in session with 100 mg iron at the beginning, at the end, 30 minutes and 120 minutes after HD were significantly lower than that of the 20 mg iron (p < 0.05). When EDEF values in sessions with 20 mg iron and without iron were considered, only values 60 and 90 minutes after dialysis were significantly improved in 20 mg iron group. The others were statistically similar. CONCLUSION: In the present study, it was observed that I.V administered iron in 20 and 100 mg doses did not cause additional deteriorating effect on oxidant stress and EDEF was even improved by I.V iron.