37 Supplementation of α-tocopherol in an end-stage kidney disease dialysis population reduced the risk of associated cardiovascular disease, decreased oxidative stress and increased erythrocyte anti-oxidants SOD, Gpx and CAT.60 However, in a meta-analysis by Miller and colleagues,61 based on the combination of several studies, an increase in all-cause mortality was found with high-dose vitamin E (≥400 IU/day) in patients with chronic diseases.62 Furthermore, the SELECT trial demonstrated that dietary supplementation with vitamin E significantly increased the risk of prostate cancer among healthy men.63 Future

trials should determine the cause of these risks as well as focus on γ- and δ-tocopherol

supplementation. Although considered more NVP-LDE225 an anti-inflammatory64 than anti-oxidant selleck products treatment, long chain omega(ω)-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, including docosahexanoic acid and eicosapentanoic acid, have been investigated in a large range of in vitro and in vivo CKD models. They were found to enhance endogenous anti-oxidant defence systems such as γ-glutamyl-cysteinyl ligase and glutathione reductase.65 In models of progressive renal fibrosis, kidney function and structure were improved using eicosapentanoic acid and docosahexanoic acid supplementation, with reduced oxidative stress, inflammation and tubulointerstitial fibrosis.66 Use of ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in human CKD patients is under multicentre trials and the anti-oxidant status of

the patients will, hopefully, be recorded in these trials. N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) is an essential precursor to many endogenous anti-oxidants involved in the decomposition of peroxides. It attenuates oxidative stress from various underlying causes by replenishing intracellular glutathione stores. The limiting precursor to glutathione biosynthesis is L-cysteine. This amino acid is not readily available in the human diet and this was the primary basis for NAC supplementation – to replenish cysteine levels. However, the sulfhydryl-thiol group of L-cysteine is also able to exert direct anti-oxidant effects by scavenging free radicals. The results U0126 mw of NAC supplementation in kidney disease have been variable. NAC pretreatment reduced endothelial dysfunction caused by uremic toxins by reducing ROS-dependent expression of NF-κB.67 NAC reduced kidney MDA levels in a mouse model of diabetic nephropathy.68 The treatment of CKD patients with NAC has been largely disappointing,69 but in end-stage kidney disease patients receiving either haemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis, NAC reduced serum 8-isoprostane and the inflammatory cytokine IL-6.70,71 Allopurinol and its metabolite, oxypurinol, are xanthine oxidoreductase inhibitors that lower serum uric acid levels.