The global prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) has risen at an accelerating rate, increasing the global healthcare burden for long-term and chronic care costs. Multiple risk factors including hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia synergistically induce the progression of CKD. Chief among these factors are dyslipidemia and obesity; increased free fatty acid uptake due to excess consumption of lipid-rich diets has been shown to promote intra-renal lipid accumulation in several in vivo models and in patients in various stages of CKD. Furthermore, patients with renal disease are also at a substantially higher risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD). In the general population, as well as in patients with renal disease, circulating low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc) is a well-established driver of atherosclerotic lesion development and CVD progression. In 2003, the proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type-9 (PCSK9) was identified as the third locus of familial hypercholesterolemia and was further characterized for its ability to enhance the degradation of the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR). Since this seminal discovery, the development of monoclonal antibodies targeted against PCSK9 demonstrated a significant reduction in LDLc and subsequent CVD risk, establishing the remarkable ‘bench to bedside’ transition. However, the inherent role of PCSK9 in regulating lipid homeostasis remained unknown in different pathological conditions. In the first chapter of my thesis, I demonstrate that PCSK9 regulates the LDLR as a feedback mechanism to protect against non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) progression induced by a high-fat diet (HFD) challenge. Since its seminal discovery, PCSK9 was also characterized to modulate a wide variety of receptors known to play a crucial role in lipid metabolism including the cluster of differentiation 36 (CD36), the very low-density lipoprotein receptor (VLDLR), and the apolipoprotein E receptor 2 (ApoER2). Previously, we have demonstrated that the absence of PCSK9 promotes diet-induced non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and liver injury through increased surface expression of CD36. Given that these same receptors are well-expressed on renal epithelia, the second chapter of my thesis demonstrates that PCSK9 is also able to modulate renal lipid metabolism by attenuating tubular lipid accumulation and subsequent renal injury. Furthermore, when PCSK9 was first characterized by Seidah and colleagues in 2003, in situ hybridization of murine PCSK9 demonstrated that it was primarily expressed in the liver, but also well-expressed in the kidney cortex, cerebellum, and small intestines. Despite its expression in a wide range of tissues, the secretion of PCSK9 was exclusive to the liver, thus, questioning what the intracellular role of PCSK9 may be. Hence, my last chapter of my masters studies lies in establishing the role of intracellular PCSK9 expression in a cellular process known as endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in the kidney. ER stress is a phenomena which primarily occurs due to increased accumulation of misfolded polypeptides, and has been implicated in numerous metabolic diseases including hepatic steatosis, CKD, and neurodegenerative pathologies. Previously, we have demonstrated that overexpressing wild-type and variants of PCSK9 in a Pcsk9-/- mouse does not induce the activation of the unfolded protein response (UPR) and attenuates hepatic ER stress. Using a well-established CKD model, I show that Pcsk9-/- mice exhibit increased renal ER stress and injury relative to wild-type controls. Overall, my findings demonstrate for the first time that both extracellular and intracellular PCSK9 has the ability to modulate renal injury using two distinct mechanism to protect against CKD progression. / Thesis / Master of Health Sciences (MSc)

Faible masse musculaire a été peu étudiée chez les patients avant le stade terminal de la maladie rénale chronique (MRC). Nous avons évalué la masse musculaire à partir de la créatininurie des 24h pour étudier ses déterminants, son évolution avec le déclin de la fonction rénale ainsi que ses liens avec les risques de progression vers l’insuffisance rénale terminale traitée (IRTT) et de décès avant IRTT. Dans la cohorte NephroTest incluant 1429 patients avec une MRC stades 1 à 4, le débit de filtration glomérulaire a été mesuré par la clairance du 51Cr-EDTA (DFGm) et estimé par l’équation CKD EPI (DFGe). La créatininurie moyenne à l’inclusion diminuait de 15.3±3.1 à 12.1±3.3 mmol/24 chez les hommes et de 9.6±1.9 à 7.6±2.5 chez les femmes, pour une baisse du DFGm de ≥ 60 à < 15 mL/min/1.73 m2. Être plus âgé, avoir un diabète, un faible IMC ou un niveau faible de protéinurie et d’apports protidiques était associé à un niveau faible de créatininurie. Un déclin annuel du DFGm de 5 mL/min/1.73 m2 était lié à une baisse de créatininurie, indépendamment de ces déterminants. Au cours d’un suivi médian de 3.6 ans, 229 patients ont développé une IRTT, et 113 sont décédés avant IRTT. Après ajustement sur les facteurs de confusion, le hasard ratio (HR) était de 1.6 (0.88-2.9) pour le risque de décès et de 0.60 (0.39-0.91) pour le risque d’IRTT, dans le 1er vs 4ème quartile de créatininurie. La baisse de la créatininurie apparait précocement dans la MRC et est liée au décès avant dialyse. La diminution du risque d’IRTT pourrait s’expliquer par un démarrage plus tardif de la dialyse en raison d’une surestimation du DFGm par le DFGe chez les patients avec une faible créatininurie. / Mainly described in patients on dialysis, muscle wasting has received little attention in early stage chronic kidney disease (CKD). We used 24-hour creatininuria to assess determinants of low muscle mass and its putative associations with CKD outcomes, using data from the NephroTest cohort, including 1429 non-dialysis patients with CKD stages 1 to 5. Kidney function was assessed with both measured (mGFR, by 51Cr-EDTA renal clearance) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR, by CKD-EPI equation). End-stage renal disease (ESRD) and pre-ESRD death were the main studied outcomes. The mean baseline creatininuria decreased from 15.3±3.1 to 12.1±3.3 mmol/24 h in men and from 9.6±1.9 to 7.6±2.5 in women, when mGFR fell from ≥ 60 to < 15 mL/min/1.73 m2. Other determinants of low creatininuria were an older age, diabetes, a lower body mass index, a lower level of proteinuria or protein intake. A fast annual decline in mGFR of 5 mL/min/1.73 m2 was linked with a 2-fold decrease in creatininuria, independent of changes in protein intake and other determinants of muscle mass. Over a median follow-up of 3.6 years, 229 patients developed ESRD and 113 patients died before ESRD. After adjustment for confounders, patients with low muscle mass showed a significantly higher risk for pre-ESRD death (HR 1.6, 95% CI 0.88-2.9), but a lower risk for ESRD (HR 0.60, 95% CI 0.39-0.91). The latter was reversed (HR 1.5, 95% CI 1.01-2.4) when mGFR was replaced by eGFR. Decrease in 24-hour creatininuria may appear early in CKD patients, is related to pre-ESRD death. The lower risk for ESRD may reflect later dialysis start due to overestimation of true GFR by eGFR in patients with low muscle mass.

A growing number of factors, including the costs, technological advancements, an ageing population, and medical errors are leading industrialised countries to invest in research on alternative solutions to improving their health care systems and increasing patients’ life quality. Personal Health System (PHS) solutions envision the use of information and communication technologies that enable a paradigm shift from the traditional hospital-centred healthcare delivery model toward a preventive and person-centred approach. PHS offers the means to follow patient health using wearable, portable or implantable systems that offer ubiquitous, unobtrusive bio-data acquisition, allowing remote access to patient status and treatment monitoring.Electrical Bioimpedance (EBI) technology is a non-invasive, quick and relatively affordable technique that can be used for assessing and monitoring different health conditions, e.g., body composition assessments for nutrition. EBI technology combined with state-of-the-art advances in sensor and textile technology are fostering the implementation of wearable bioimpedance monitors that use functional garments for the implementation of personalised healthcare applications.This research studies the development of a portable EBI spectrometer that can use dry textile electrodes for the assessment of body composition for the purposes of clinical uses. The portable bioimpedance monitor has been developed using the latest advances in system-on-chip technology for bioimpedance spectroscopy instrumentation. The obtained portable spectrometer has been validated against commercial spectrometer that performs total body composition assessment using functional textrode garments.The development of a portable Bioimpedance spectrometer using functional garments and dry textile electrodes for body composition assessment has been shown to be a feasible option. The availability of such measurement systems bring closer the real implementation of personalised healthcare systems. / 2013-04-29 Licentiatseminarium kl.10-11.30 The presentation will be broadcast using Adobe Connect. For more information contact javier.ferreira@hb.se

Les maladies cardiovasculaires apparaissent précocement au cours de l'insuffisance rénale chronique (IRC) et représentent la première cause de mortalité. La 1ère étape pour apprécier la relation entre risque cardiovasculaire et progression de l'IRC consiste à améliorer l'estimation du débit de filtration glomérulaire (DFG). Nous avons donc évalué l'impact des conditions analytiques de mesure de la créatininémie et de la cystatinémie sur l'estimation du DFG. Les créatinines IDMS traçables (enzymatique et Jaffe compensé) améliorent l'estimation du DFG. Cependant, les méthodes enzymatiques non sensibles aux pseudochromogènes doivent être préférées. Concernant la cystatine C, nos résultats soulignent l'absence de standardisation du dosage. Chez des patients IRC non dialysés (stade I à V), nous avons identifié l'ostéoprotégérine (OPG) comme marqueur biologique de la présence de calcifications vasculaires. In vitro, nous avons démontré que le stress oxydant, majoré en présence de sérum urémique, jouait un rôle clé dans la transdifférenciation des cellules musculaires lisses vasculaires en ost oblastes. La mortalité en dialyse reste élevée et est largement dépendante des maladies cardiovasculaires. Il nous a donc paru nécessaire de rechercher les marqueurs pronostics et/ou d'en suivre l'évolution en transplantation. En dialyse, malgré une épuration significative par hémodiafiltration, les peptides natriurétiques sont des marqueurs du remodelage ventriculaire. La combinaison "NT-proBNP-CRP" est un puissant facteur pronostic de mortalité cardiovasculaire en hémodialyse. Après transplantation rénale, les calcifications vasculaires se stabilisent chez la majorité des patients et les taux d'OPG diminuent précocement. Les taux d'OPG sont significativement plus élevés chez les patients dont les calcifications progressent. Toutefois, seule l'intensité des calcifications avant transplantation permet de prédire la progression / Cardiovascular disease occurs in the early stage of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and is the leading cause of death. The first step, to appreciate the link between cardiovascular risk and CKD progression, is to improve glomerular filtration rate (GFR) estimation. We have therefore evaluated the impact of analytical conditions for creatinine and cystatin C measurement on estimated GFR. New creatinine ID-MS traceable methods (enzymatic and compensated Jaffe) improved estimation of GFR by predictive equations. However, enzymatic methods that are much less susceptible to interfere with non-creatinine chromogens may provide more reliable estimations of GFR. Regarding cystatin C, our results highlighted the lack of standardization. In non dialyzed CKD patients (stage I to V), we identified osteoprotegerin (OPG) as a biomarker for the presence of vascular calcification. In vitro, we demonstrated that oxidative stress, increased in the presence of uremi c serum, played a key role in the transdifferentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells into osteoblast-like cells. In dialysis, mortality is high and largely dependant on cardiovascular disease. We have therefore investigated prognostic markers and/or followed their evolution after transplantation. In dialysis, despite their removal by hemodiafiltration, natriuretic peptides could be potential markers of left ventricular remodelling. In addition, the combination of high CRP and circulating NT-proBNP dramatically impaired the hemodialysis survival rate. After renal transplantation, stabilization of vascular calcification was observed in the majority of patients and OPG levels are dramatically reduced. Despite a higher baseline OPG level in progressors vs. non-progressors patients, post transplant vascular calcification progression was only predicted by baseline score.

Kidney failure is frequently associated with the risk factors linked to metabolic syndrome. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a potent inflammatory molecule, which has increased absorption from the gut into blood circulation following a high fat and high-energy diet. We hypothesized that LPS from a high fat diet can amplify inflammation, thereby exacerbating chronic kidney disease and associated disorders. We have found that adding a high fat diet to renal insufficient mice significantly progressed their kidney disease as well as associated disorders, compared to both a high fat diet and renal insufficiency alone. Additionally, we were able to demonstrate in vitro that the combination of LPS and palmitic acid, a marker of high fat diet, induced inflammatory pathways significantly more than either LPS or palmitic acid alone. These results provide insight into connection between a high fat diet and the progression of chronic kidney disease as well as associated disorders.

L'insuffisance rénale chronique (IRC) est associée à une importante morbidité et mortalité cardio-vasculaire, à laquelle participent la dysfonction endothéliale. Les patients IRC présentent de plus une susceptibilité accrue aux thromboses qu’elles soient veineuses ou artérielles. Les toxines urémiques sont des solutés s'accumulant dans le sérum et les tissus des patients IRC. Parmi elles, les toxines urémiques liées aux protéines ont une toxicité endothéliale démontrée in vitro. Nous avons démontré que l’indoxyl sulfate (IS) et l’indole acetic acide (IAA), deux toxines liées aux protéines provoquent un phénotype pro coagulant de cellules endothéliales en culture via une production accrue de facteur tissulaire (FT). Le facteur tissulaire est un facteur membranaire procoagulant qui initie la cascade de la coagulation en activant le facteur VII via la voie extrinsèque. Nous avons aussi démontré que la production de FT passe par une voie cellulaire préalablement connue pour son implication dans les processus de detoxification : la voie de l’aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR). Dans notre travail, nous montrons que l’IS et l’IAA ont un comportement similaire à l’intoxication par la dioxine. Le lien entre FT et AHR n’avait jamais été démontré auparavant. En conclusion, l’IS et l’IAA participent à la dysfonction endothéliale des patients IRC et à la surmortalité cardiovasculaire, en augmentant la production endothéliale de FT et ainsi en provoquant un phénotype pro coagulant des cellules endothéliales. La voie AHR constitue une cible thérapeutique très intéressante dans la problématique de la surmortalité cardiovasculaire des patients IRC. / Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with significant morbidity and cardiovascular mortality, which involves chronic inflammation, oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction. CKD patients have a higher risk of venous or arterial thrombosis compared to general population. Uremic toxins are molecules that accumulate in the serum and organs of CKD patients. Among them, protein-bound uremic toxins are poorly removed by dialysis, and their endothelial toxicity had been well demonstrated in vitro. In this thesis, we demonstrated that indoxyl sulfate (IS) and indole acetic acid (IAA ), two protein-bound toxins can cause a pro coagulant phenotype of cultured endothelial cells through an increased production of tissue factor (TF ) Tissue factor is a membrane procoagulant factor that initiates the coagulation cascade by activating factor VII via the extrinsic pathway. We also demonstrated that TF increase was produced via a cellular pathway previously known to be involved in the detoxification processes: the aryl hydrocarbon receptor pathway (AHR) . The canonical ligand of AHR is dioxin, well known for its cardiovascular adverse effects. In this work, we showed that IS and IAA had a “dioxin- like effect”. The link between FT and AHR had never been shown earlier. CKD constitutes an endogenous situation similar to dioxin poisoning. In conclusion, the IS and IAA are involved in endothelial dysfunction in CKD patients and cardiovascular mortality by increasing the endothelial production of TF and thus causing a pro- coagulant phenotype of endothelial cells. AHR pathway is a very interesting therapeutic target in the problematic of cardiovascular mortality in CKD patients .

Orientador: Luis Cuadrado Martin / Resumo: Fundamentação: É crescente o número de trabalhos revelando a associação de hiperuricemia assintomática com hipertensão, síndrome metabólica, doenças cardiovasculares e doença renal crônica. Alguns estudos revelam que o tratamento da hiperuricemia assintomática reduz o número de desfechos renais e cardiovasculares. Tal premissa, no entanto, ainda não foi avaliada em uma subpopulação brasileira. Objetivos: Avaliar a associação entre tratamento com alopurinol e ocorrência de desfechos definitivos em portadores de doença renal crônica com hiperuricemia assintomática. Materiais e métodos: Foram avaliados, de forma retrospectiva, pacientes hiperuricêmicos e portadores de doença renal crônica não dialítica, em tratamento no HC-FMB – UNESP, os quais iniciaram acompanhamento no ambulatório de Insuficiência Renal Crônica ou de Nefrologia Geral do HC-UNESP desde janeiro 2002 a dezembro 2017. Com o intuito de avaliar a associação do uso do alopurinol sobre desfechos definitivos (entrada em terapia renal substitutiva, duplicação da creatinina ou morte). Resultados: Foram avaliados 109 pacientes sendo 53 do sexo feminino, cuja média de idade foi de 68 ± 11 anos. Destes, 95 eram brancos, 13 afrodescendentes e um asiático. Vinte e seis pacientes apresentaram o desfecho estudado no período; entre todos os 36 pacientes que iniciaram o uso de alopurinol no primeiro ano seguimento, ocorreram oito desfechos (22%). A proteinúria em 24 h associou-se aos desfechos avaliados Hazzard Ratio de 1,301 (I... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Rationale: There is increasing number of studies revealing an association of hyperuricemia with hypertension, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular diseases and chronic kidney disease. Some studies have shown that treatment of asymptomatic hyperuricemia reduces the number of renal and cardiovascular outcomes. This premise, however, has not yet been evaluated in a Brazilian subpopulation. Objectives: To evaluate the association between treatment with allopurinol and the occurrence of definitive outcomes in patients with chronic kidney disease with asymptomatic hyperuricemia. Materials and methods: Hyperuricemic patients with chronic non-dialytic kidney disease under treatment at HC-FMB - UNESP who began follow-up at the Chronic Kidney Insufficiency or General Nephrology outpatient clinic at HC-UNESP, were retrospectively evaluated, from January 2002 to December 2017. In order to evaluate the association of the use of allopurinol on definitive outcomes (renal replacement therapy, creatinine doubling or death). Results: A total of 109 patients were evaluated, of which 53 were females, whose mean age was 68 ± 11 years. Of these, 95 were white, 13 Afro-descendants and one Asian. Twenty-six patients presented the outcome studied in the period; among all 36 patients who started using allopurinol in the first year of follow-up, eight outcomes (22%) occurred. Proteinuria at 24 h was associated with the Hazzard Ratio of 1.301 (95% CI: 1.122 -1.508), p: 0.011. In univariate analysis, phosp... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Descrevemos recentemente um novo modelo de DRC, baseado nos efeitos adversos da administração de L na lactação (LLact). Os objetivos do presente estudo foram; caracterizar os mecanismos patológicos envolvidos com a nefropatia do LLact e investigar se o extraordinário efeito renoprotetor obtido com a associação L+H no modelo NX seria reproduzido no modelo LLact. Utilizamos 20 ratas Munich-Wistar lactantes, com 6 filhotes cada. As matrizes receberam L, 250mg/Kg/d durante a amamentação e a droga atingiu a prole via leite materno. Os filhotes machos foram acompanhados até os 7 meses de vida, quando se verificou; pressão caudal, albuminúria, creatinina sérica, glomerulosclerose, expansão intersticial, proliferação celular, presença de miofibroblastos intersticiais e rarefação capilar. Os animais LLact restantes foram divididos em 3 novos grupos: LLact+V, mantido sem tratamento, LLact+L, LLact+H, e LLact+LH. Os parâmetros foram reavaliados após 3 meses nesses grupos e também em animais controle (C). Os ratos, LLact apresentaram hipertensão, albuminuria, glomerulosclerose (GS) e lesão intersticial com inflamação e fibrose aos 10 meses de vida. O tratamento com L+H na vida adulta limitou a hipertensão, albuminúria, GS, proliferação intersticial e infiltração de miofibroblastos. Porém, a renoproteção obtida pela associação foi moderada em relação aos resultados previamente obtidos com o modelo NX, especialmente no tocante ao comprometimento tubulointersticial / We recently standardized a severe CKD model based on impaired nephrogenesis by suppression of angiotensin II (Ang II) activity during lactation (LLact). In the present study we sought to gain further insight into the mechanisms associated with the LLact model and to verify if the renoprotection obtained with the association of the Ang II receptor blocker, Losartan (L), and Hydrochlorothiazide (H), which arrested renal injury in the remnant kidney model, could be also obtained in the LLact model. Twenty Munich-Wistar dams, each nursing 6 pups, received L, 250 mg/kg/d, until weaning. The male LLact offspring remained untreated until 7 months of age, when renal functional and structural parameters were studied in 17 of them, used as pretreatment control (LLactPre), followed no further. The remaining rats were divided in groups: LLact+V, untreated, LLact+L, given L, 50 mg/kg/day, now as a therapy, LLact+H, given H, 6mg/kg/day and LLact+LH, given L and H. All the parameters were reassessed 3 months later in these groups and in agematched controls (C). At this time, LLact rats exhibited hypertension, albuminuria, glomerulosclerosis (GS), interstitial expansion and inflammation, enhanced cell proliferation, myofibroblast infiltration, and creatinine retention. LH therapy normalized blood pressure, albuminuria, GS, and limited interstitial cell proliferation and -smooth muscle actin (-SMA) accumulation. However, LH renoprotection achieved with the LLact model was only mild if compared previous studies with the 5/6 renal ablation model

Introdução: A nefropatia induzida por contraste iodado (NIC) é um efeito adverso comum em pacientes com doença renal crônica (DRC). Caracteriza-se por uma síndrome de doença renal crônica agudizada. Resultado da vasoconstrição renal, hipóxia, ativação da cascata inflamatória, lesão celular oxidativa, a NIC deteriora a função renal, aumenta os dias de hospitalização, os custos hospitalares e a mortalidade do paciente portador de DRC. Objetivo: Avaliar o efeito renoprotetor do resveratrol, um polifenol com propriedades vasodilatadoras e anti-inflamatórias em ratos com doença renal crônica que receberam contraste iodado. Métodos: Ratos Wistar, machos, adultos randomizados em quatro grupos: SHAM: controle do modelo de doença renal crônica; Nx: ratos com nefrectomia 5/6 (modelo experimental de DRC); Nx+C: ratos Nx que receberam 6 ml/Kg de contraste iodado; Nx+C+R: animais Nx que foram pré-medicados com resveratrol 25 mg/Kg e 6 ml/Kg de contraste iodado. Foram avaliadas a função (clearance de inulina) e hemodinâmica renal (fluxo sanguíneo renal e resistência vascular renal), estresse oxidativo (peróxidos, óxido nítrico e substâncias reativas ao ácido tiobarbitúrico urinário e tióis no tecido renal) e análise histológica. Resultados: O uso de contraste resultou em deterioração da função renal, redução do fluxo sanguíneo renal, aumento da resistência vascular renal, lesão oxidativa e lesão túbulo intersticial dos ratos com DRC. O uso do resveratrol resultou na manutenção da taxa de filtração glomerular, do fluxo sanguíneo e resistência vascular renal, reduziu a lesão oxidativa e a lesão túbulo intersticial após a exposição ao contraste. Conclusões: O resveratrol apresentou efeito renoprotetor, hemodinâmico e antioxidante, na NIC em ratos com doença renal crônica. / Introduction: Contrast-Induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) is a common adverse effect in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Result of renal vasoconstriction, hypoxia, activation of inflammatory cascade, oxidative cell damage, CI-AKI promote impaired renal function, increased length of hospitalization, hospital costs and mortality. Objective: This study evaluated the renoprotection of resveratrol, a polyphenol with vasodilating and anti-inflammatory properties in rats with chronic kidney disease receiving iodinated contrast media. Methods: Wistar, adult, male rats randomized into four groups; Sham: control of chronic renal injury model; Nx: rats with 5/6 nefrectomy (experimental model of CKD); Nx+IC: Nx rats that received 6 ml/kg of iodinated contrast; Nx+IC+R: Nx rats that received 6 ml/kg of iodinated contrast and resveratrol 25 mg/Kg. Renal function (inulin clearance), renal hemodynamics (renal blood flow and renal vascular resistance), oxidative profile (peroxides, urinary nitric oxide, reactive substances to thiobarbituric acid in urine, thiols in renal tissue) and histological analysis were evaluated. Results: Iodinated contrast led to impaired renal function, reduced renal blood flow, intensified renal vascular resistance, and promoted oxidative and tubular injury in CKD rats. Resveratrol maintained glomerular filtration rate, renal blood flow and vascular resistance, reduced oxidative and tubular injury after contrast exposition. Conclusion: Resveratrol showed a renoprotective effect, with antioxidant and hemodynamics impact, on CI-AKI in rats with CKD.

Pacientes em hemodiálise (HD) estão sob estresse oxidativo, o que leva à formação de espécies reativas de oxigênio (EROs). Toxinas urêmicas, a própria hemodiálise e o comprometimento do sistema antioxidante induzem a formação de EROs. Dentre os antioxidantes está o Selênio (Se), mineral que a literatura já relata deficiência em pacientes em HD. Considerando a importância da atividade antioxidante nestes pacientes com doença renal crônica (DRC) em HD, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito da suplementação com castanha-do-brasil nos níveis de Se e na atividade da glutationa peroxidase (GSH-Px) em pacientes nestas condições. Foram estudados 81 pacientes em HD (52,0 &#177; 15,2 anos, tempo média de HD de 82,3 &#177; 91,4 meses e IMC de 24,4 &#177; 4,4 kg/(m)2) das clínicas RenalCor e RenalVida do Rio de Janeiro. Os pacientes receberam uma castanha (&#8776; 5g), cerca 290&#181;g Se, por dia, durante três meses. A concentração de Se foi determinada por espectrometria de absorção atômica com geração de hidretos (HITACHI&#174;, Z-500). A atividade da enzima GSH-Px foi medida usando kit comercial RANDOX&#174;. Os níveis de Se no plasma (18,8 &#177; 17,4 &#181;g/L) e no eritrócito (72,4 &#177; 37,4 &#181;g/L) antes da suplementação estavam abaixo da faixa da normalidade (60-120 &#181;g/L no plasma e de 90-190 &#181;g/L no eritrócito) e após a suplementação os níveis plasmáticos e eritrocitários aumentaram para 104,0 &#177; 65,0 &#181;g/L e 244,1 &#177; 119,5 &#181;g/L (p&#60; 0,0001), respectivamente. A atividade de GSH-Px também aumentou após a suplementação passando de 46,4 &#177; 14,9 U/gHb para 55,9 &#177; 23,6 U/gHb (p&#60; 0,0001). Antes da suplementação 11% dos pacientes apresentaram atividade da GSH-Px abaixo da normalidade (27,5 - 73,6 U/gHb) e, após a suplementação todos pacientes apresentaram atividade da GSH-Px normal. Os resultados mostraram que os pacientes estudados apresentaram Se plasmático e eritrocitário abaixo dos valores normais e o consumo de apenas uma castanha-do-brasil por dia (5g) foi eficaz no aumento da concentração de Se e na atividade da GSH-Px nos pacientes em HD; além disto, ela pode contribuir para a melhora da condição de estresse oxidativo desses pacientes. / Hemodialysis (HD) patients may undergo oxidative damage which causes reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation. Uremic toxins, HD treatment and the decrease in antioxidant system are known to result in the ROS generation. Selenium (Se) has a role as an antioxidant and studies report Se deficiency in these patients. Considering the importance of the antioxidant activity in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) in HD, the aim of this work was evaluate the effect of Brazilian nuts (main food source) supplementation on levels of Se and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity in HD patients. A total of 81 HD patients (52.0 &#177; 15.2 years old, average time on dialysis was 82.3 &#177; 91.4 months and BMI of 24.9 &#177; 4.4 kg/m2) from RenalCor and RenalVida Clinics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil were studied. The patients received one nut (&#8776; 5g), average of 290 &#181;g Se, each day during three months. The Se concentration was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry with hydride generation (HITACHI&#174;, Z-500). The levels of GSH-Px were measured by using RANDOX&#174; commercial kits. The Se levels in plasma (18.8 &#177; 17.4 &#181;g/L) and erythrocyte (72.4 &#177; 37.9 &#181;g/L) before supplementation were below the normal range (60-120 &#181;g/L for plasma and 90-190 &#181;g/L for erythrocyte) and after nut supplementation, the plasma levels increased to 104.0 &#177; 65.0 &#181;g/L and erythrocytes to 244.1 &#177; 119.5 &#181;g/L (p&#60;0.0001). The activity of GSH-Px also increased after supplementation from 46.6 &#177; 14.9 U/ gHb to 55.9 &#177; 23.6 U/gHb (p&#60;0.0001). Before supplementation, 11% of patients had activity of GSH-Px below the normal range (27.5 - 73.6 U/gHb) and, after supplementation, all patients showed activity of GSH-Px within the normal range. The data revealed that the investigated patients had erythrocyte and plasma Se levels below the normal values and the consumption of just one Brazil nut each day (5g) was effective to increase on Se concentration and GSH-Px activity of the patients in HD, thus contributing to improve the antioxidant condition of these patients.