Nour Elkhair Ali is currently working as Professor at Alneelain University, Sudan
Abstract
Statement of the Problem: Several studies suggested that oxidative processes might increase in patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD). Oxidative stress (OS) was considered as a risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular complication that are the major causes of mortality among ESRD patients’ .Haemodialysis (HD) is a state of chronic inflammatory activation which is associated with accelerated cardiovascular disease and high cardiovascular mortality. Gum Arabic (GA) has been claimed to act as an anti-oxidant and cytoprotective agent, protecting against experimental hepatic, renal and cardiac toxicities in both animal and human studies. This study was designed to test a hypothesis that Gum Arabic supplementation of the diet in a population of patients receiving renal replacement therapy by haemodialysis will reduce oxidative stress and therefore reduce the state of chronic inflammatory activation associated with chronic HD. Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: In this study 40 end stage renal failure (ESRF) patients aged 18-80 years who were on regular haemodialysis in Arif Renal Center, Omdurman, Sudan, were recruited. All recruited patients met the inclusion criteria and signed the informed consent. Patients received 30 g/day of GA for 12 weeks. Renal function test (RFT), C-reactive protein (CRP), Total anti-oxidant capacity (TAC) and the oxidative stress marker malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured before and after GA intake .Ethical approval from the national medicine and poisons board was obtained. Findings: Gum Arabic significantly increased TAC level (P < 0.001) and decreased the oxidative marker MDA and CRP (P < 0.001). Conclusion & Significance: GA has revealed potent anti- oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties in hemodialysis patients. Daily supplementation of GA (30 g/day) significantly reduced the oxidative stress in hemodialysis patients.