RESUMO
Hemodialysis can remove uremic solutes but this treatment induces oxidative stress in uremic patients because of hemo-incompatibility. Therefore, we hypothesised that an antioxidant dialysate (a dialysate containing antioxidant(s)) would provide antioxidant defence in uremic patients during hemodialysis. Several herbal extracts were studied and measurements of antioxidant power and stability assays indicated that epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) was the best of those tested for use as an antioxidant dialysate (EGCG dialysate). We observed that EGCG dialysate could provide the highest level of antioxidant defence at a dialysate flow rate of 500 ml/min and a blood flow rate of 200 ml/min. In addition, some important parameters for hemodialysis were calculated for supporting the protective role of EGCG dialysate. This is the first description of the preparation of an antioxidant dialysate. We suggest that EGCG dialysate will reduce the level of oxidative stress in hemodialysis patients, leading to a decrease of complications associated with oxidative damage.