New reliable oxidative stress markers are present in chronic renal failure (CRF) patients, indicating that CRF is a pro-oxidant state. However, the pathogenesis of oxidative stress in CRF patients remains poorly defined. Moreover, the limited data available provide no clear-cut evidence in favor of the clinical benefit of antioxidant manoeuvres aimed at reducing cardiovascular disease in CRF patients or in the general population as well. Therefore, no practical recommendations can be given at this stage, and further studies are clearly needed.
