Oxidative DNA damage is reduced by a daily micronutrient supplement in HD patients.

Introduction: End stage renal disease (ESRD) is associated with an increase in oxidative stress, cardiovascular disease and cancer. Haemodialysis (HD) treatment itself induces repetitive bouts of oxidative stress resulting in higher production of reactive oxygen species, which have the potential to result in increased levels of oxidative DNA damage, which in turn may lead to genomic instability and impact on the elevated levels of cancer reported in HD patients.The aim of this project was to determine the levels of DNA damage at baseline and 3 months following a placebo controlled intervention with a novel micronutrient supplement containing folate, B, C and E -vitamins, and micronutrients. Method: 38 HD patients were recruited and gave informed consent; blood samples were processed for the modified Comet Assay, which measures Alkaline DNA damage (% tail DNA) and specific oxidative DNA damage by using bacterial enzymes endonuclease III (Endo III) and formamidepyrimidine DNA glycosilase (FPG). Results: A significant reduction in Alkaline, EndoIII and FPG DNA damage was observed in the treatment group 3 months post intervention (20.55±8.22 vs 16.12±4.29; 20.04±9.20 vs 15.12±2.63; 24.65±10.58 vs 16.30±2.86 %tail DNA; p>0.001) respectively. Placebo DNA damage levels were significantly increased post intervention. FPG specific damage was significantly lower in the treatment group post intervention (p>0.001), compared to placebo. Introduction: End stage renal disease (ESRD) is associated with an increase in oxidative stress, cardiovascular disease and cancer. Haemodialysis (HD) treatment itself induces repetitive bouts of oxidative stress resulting in higher production of reactive oxygen species, which have the potential to result in increased levels of oxidative DNA damage, which in turn may lead to genomic instability and impact on the elevated levels of cancer reported in HD patients.The aim of this project was to determine the levels of DNA damage at baseline and 3 months following a placebo controlled intervention with a novel micronutrient supplement containing folate, B, C and E -vitamins, and micronutrients. Method: 38 HD patients were recruited and gave informed consent; blood samples were processed for the modified Comet Assay, which measures Alkaline DNA damage (% tail DNA) and specific oxidative DNA damage by using bacterial enzymes endonuclease III (Endo III) and formamidepyrimidine DNA glycosilase (FPG). Results: A significant reduction in Alkaline, EndoIII and FPG DNA damage was observed in the treatment group 3 months post intervention (20.55±8.22 vs 16.12±4.29; 20.04±9.20 vs 15.12±2.63; 24.65±10.58 vs 16.30±2.86 %tail DNA; p>0.001) respectively. Placebo DNA damage levels were significantly increased post intervention. FPG specific damage was significantly lower in the treatment group post intervention (p>0.001), compared to placebo. Conclusion: This novel treatment had a protective effect on the patient blood levels of DNA damage. In addition, the most significant reduction in DNA damage levels was observed in those patients with higher baseline levels. Additional research is urgently required.Conclusion: This novel treatment had a protective effect on the patient blood levels of DNA damage. In addition, the most significant reduction in DNA damage levels was observed in those patients with higher baseline levels. Additional research is urgently required.