Therapeutic Role of Gum Arabic as Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory in Hemodialysis Patients in Alshaheed Arif Renal Disease Center

Abstract

Introduction: Several studies suggested that oxidative processes may be increased in patients with renal failure. Oxidative stress was thought to increase risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular complication the major cause of mortality in renal failure patients .Gum Arabic (GA) has been claimed to act as an anti-oxidant and cytoprotective agent, protecting against experimental hepatic, renal and cardiac toxicities in rats. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of Gum Arabic on Oxidative Stress and inflammatory markers in patients on regular hemodialysis. Materials and Methods: this study was done as phase ii clinical trial among patients on regular hemodialysis in the Arif renal disease Centre. Forty End Stage Renal Disease patients age (18–80 years) who met the study inclusion criteria were recruited . Patients received 30 g/day 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 by Colorimetric methods before and after GA intake. Results: GA significantly decreased both the level of urea and creatinine ( p = 0.0004) and (p = 0.0491) respectively. An uric acid level significantly reduced (p = 0.0057).GA had no effect on serum electrolytes level except the phosphorus which was significantly reduced (p value 0.0039).CRP level was significantly decreased (p value= 0.0016).Gum Arabic significantly increases the TAC level ((P < 0.001)) and decreased the oxidative markers MDA ((P < 0.001). About quality of life , 90% of them claimed that they were feeling better ,and more energetic . 70 % said that there is increase in urine output and frequency after taking Gum .Fifty percent from anuric patients for years, started passing a small volume of urine during the study, Ninety percent of patients had soft stool ,One of the patients claimed that his appetites was improved and Two of females their cycle became regular after 5 weeks from the start .

Conclusions: GA has 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.