This study is evaluating patients with CKD on a regular HD program randomized in the chocolate group and control group. The chocolate group is receiving 40g of dark chocolate per day for 2 months and the control group is not receiving any intervention. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) are being isolated for expression of Nrf2, NF-kB, and NADPH quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) by a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Antioxidant enzymes activity (catalase-CAT and glutathione peroxidase-GPx), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) will be assessed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
