Abstract

Introduction: An increase in nitric oxide (NO) synthesis concentration could help alleviate some pathological changes directly related to uremia. Aim: To investigate the concentration of nitric oxide in saliva of patients with terminal stage of chronic renal failure on hemodialysis and to investigate the effect of hemodialysis on concentration of nitric oxide in saliva of the patients with terminal stage of chronic renal failure on hemodialysis. Material and Methods: The study had a prospective character and included 60 respondents of both sexes, at age between 20 and 60 years. The control group included 30 healthy volunteers of both sexes (15 men and 15 women) of the same age, who were based on subjective and objective health status without any manifestations of pathophysiological changes. The group of patients with terminal stage of chronic renal failure on hemodialysis involved 30 patients of both sexes (15 men and 15 women). Inclusion criteria: hemodialysis duration more than 6 months and age between 20 and 60 years. Results: The amount of non-stimulated saliva collected during 15 minutes in patients with chronic renal failure was lower by 31.3% compared to the control group of healthy subjects (p < 0.0001). Concentration of NO in saliva in patients with chronic renal failure was higher by 121% than in the control group (p < 0.001). Concentration of NO in saliva in patients with chronic renal failure after hemodialysis was 121% lower than in the same subjects prior to hemodialysis (p < 0.001). A statistically significant negative correlation (r=-0.381, p < 0.05) was found between the hemodialysis duration in months and the level of NO in saliva of the patients with chronic renal failure prior to hemodialysis. There was no statistically significant correlation (r=-0.167, NS) between the hemodialysis duration in months and NO levels in saliva of the patients with chronic renal failure after hemodialysis treatment. Conclusion: Concentration of NO in saliva of the patients on hemodialysis was statistically significantly higher in relation to NO concentration in the saliva of healthy subjects and after hemodialysis was statistically significantly lower in relation to NO values ​​prior to hemodialysis. Monitoring of changes in NO concentration dynamics in saliva of hemodialysis patients will probably be helpful in monitoring hemodialysis efficacy.

Key words: nitric oxide, saliva, renal failure