Abstract
The possible influence of dialysis on the metabolism of reactive oxygen species as well as the flow properties of blood were investigated. 22 patients suffering from chronical renal failure were hemodialysed every second day. 11 of them were additional treated with ultraviolet irradiated own blood. The concentration of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) was normal (3.6±0.8 nmol) before hemodialysis and rose during hemodialysis up to 4.6±1.0 nmol). This increase of TBARS was no longer seen in the uv treated patients. The parameters of RBC aggregation were neither significantly different in the two patient groups before the treatment nor different in comparison with healthy persons. The orientability of RBC of the patient groups was significantly reduced in comparison with that of the healthy group at the beginning of investigation and was significantly improved after uv treatment. The retransfusion of uv irradiated own blood seems to result in a decreased oxidative stress.