Investigation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 levels in the sera of children with chronic kidney disease

Free radicals and oxidants are involved in physiological signaling pathways, but an imbalance between pro-oxidant and antioxidant systems leads to oxidative stress and is responsible for the pathogenesis of many diseases such as diabetes mellitus, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, infectious diseases, chronic kidney disease (CKD) and atherosclerosis. CKD and end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) are among the important causes of mortality and morbidity in childhood. Early diagnosis and treatment of the disease may prevent most CKD patients from progressing to ESKD. For this purpose, 63 patients were included in the study. Of the patients, 26 had peritoneal dialysis (PD), 12 in hemodialysis (HD), and 25 in compensated chronic kidney disease. Twenty healthy individuals were included in the study as the control group. Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), Kelch-like ECH-related protein 1- (Keap1-), glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK-3ß), peroxynitrite (ONOO-), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured in the sera of patients and control groups. Among the measured parameters, Nrf2, ONOO-, MDA levels were found to be statistically significantly higher when compared to the control group, but no difference was found in Keap1 and GSK-3ß levels. The results obtained in this study show that the oxidant status is increased in the patient groups and it would be beneficial to add antioxidant substances in addition to the applied treatment.