Liposoluble vitamins A and E in kidney disease

Abstract

Kidney disease (KD) is characterized by the presence of elevated oxidative stress, and this is postulated as contributing to the high cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in these individuals. Chronic KD (CKD) is related to high grade inflammatory condition and pro-oxidative state that aggravates the progression of the disease by damaging primary podocytes. Liposoluble vitamins (vitamin A and E) are potent dietary antioxidants that have also anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic functions. Vitamin deficits in CKD patients are a common issue, and multiple causes are related to them: Anorexia, dietary restrictions, food cooking methods, dialysis losses, gastrointestinal malabsorption, etc. The potential benefit of retinoic acid (RA) and α-tocopherol have been described in animal models and in some human clinical trials. This review provides an overview of RA and α tocopherol in KD.

Keywords: Retinoic acid; α-Tocopherol; Oxidative stress; Kidney disease; Podocyte; Cardiovascular disease

Core Tip: Oxidative stress in patients with kidney disease (KD) is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Vitamin A and E are important antioxidants with many roles in health and KD. High levels of vitamin A may have adverse health effects but higher levels of vitamin E have been associated with a lower overall mortality. Exogenous administration of these vitamins to patients with KD have shown controversial results.