Chronic kidney disease is a common condition that affects at least one in ten people. Chronic kidney disease represents a progressive loss of kidney function, which can affect individuals due to various causes. Myeloperoxidase is an enzyme found in white blood cells, particularly in neutrophils, monocytes, and macrophages. Its key role is associated with the body's immune system and participates in the body's defense mechanisms by catalyzing reactions between hydrogen peroxide and halide ions, forming microbicidal compounds such as hypochlorous acid. In patients with chronic kidney disease, increased myeloperoxidase activity may lead to excessive formation of hypohalous acids, which can cause oxidative damage to cells and tissues, thereby increasing inflammatory response in the body. Oxidatively modified lipids and proteins resulting from enzyme activity may contribute to the development of atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular complications in patients with chronic kidney disease.
As part of the master's thesis, we decided to determine the concentration of myeloperoxidase in patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing dialysis treatment. We measured the enzyme concentration in 32 patients using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). We evaluated the data and then statistically compared them among subgroups. We had three subgroups. We compared the groups using different statistical tests. In the subgroup with anticoagulants (heparin and citrate), we used the Friedman test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test for pairs; in the subgroup with dialysis membranes (medium cut-off membrane and hemodiafiltration), we used the Mann-Whitney U test; and in the subgroup with and without a special diet, we used the Wilcoxon signed-rank test.
The results showed that changing the dialysis anticoagulant affects the concentration of myeloperoxidase, with citrate being a more suitable choice compared to heparin. Different dialysis membranes do not affect the concentration of myeloperoxidase, as it is too large to be effectively removed through membrane pores. Similarly, the results of the statistical analysis showed that a high-fiber diet with the addition of sodium propionate is suitable for reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, as patients on the diet had lower concentrations of myeloperoxidase.
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