The increased concentration of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in erythrocytes from patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) has been observed in many studies but the mechanism leading to these abnormalities still is controversial. It is believed that hyperphosphatemia and metabolic acidosis triggering enhanced reutilization of purine bases are the factors responsible for changes in erythrocyte nucleotide concentration. During the past decade we have performed several studies. A summary of the obtained results is presented. A high-performance liquid chromatography technique was used for the determination of plasma and intraerythrocyte nucleotide concentrations. Labeled adenine and adenosine were used for measuring adenine incorporation. In CRF patients treated conservatively increased concentrations of ATP levels and other nucleotides such as adenosine diphosphate were found. Adenosine monophosphate and hypoxanthine levels were lower than in controls. In hemodialyzed patients both ATP and adenosine monophosphate intraerythrocyte concentrations were higher than in controls. At the same time, adenosine monophosphate and hypoxantine level were comparable with levels in healthy people. The main pattern of nucleotides during hemodialysis remained unchanged, independent from the mode of therapy. The only exception was a decreased level of hypoxantine. Results of a consecutive study have suggested that the increased rate of adenine incorporation into the adenine nucleotide pool could be partially responsible for the increased ATP concentration in uremic erythrocytes. Last but not least, trying to elucidate the pathomechanism of adenine nucleotide disturbances in uremia, we have found that the concentration of N-methyl-2-pyridone-5-carboxamide (2PY), one of the end products of nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide degradation, were enhanced in CRF patients to values that are potentially toxic. Our findings suggest that 2PY could be a novel uremic toxin. Disturbances of nucleotide metabolism are one of the important components of uremic syndrome.