5-Lipoxygenase-mediated mitochondrial damage and apoptosis of mononuclear cells in ESRD patients

5-Lipoxygenase activity is enhanced in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients on maintenance hemodialysis (HD), leading to lipoperoxidation and reactive oxygen species formation. These effects are prevented by vitamin E, which inhibits 5-lipoxygenase activity. The present study was designed to test the possibility that 5-lipoxygenase activation might cause mitochondrial damage and cytochrome c release, ultimately leading PBMC to apoptosis.

Apoptosis, mitochondrial uncoupling, and cytochrome c release were investigated in PBMC from 16 healthy volunteers and 16 ESRD patients on maintenance HD with cuprammonium rayon (CL-S) membranes in a two-step crossover study: after a four-week treatment with vitamin E-coated cuprammonium rayon (CL-E) membranes, and again after a four-week treatment with oral vitamin E.

Compared to healthy controls, PBMC from ESRD patients showed an approximately threefold increase in mitochondrial uncoupling and cytochrome c release (within 4 and 8 hours, respectively), followed by an approximately threefold increase in apoptotic body formation (within 48 hours). Regardless of the administration route, vitamin E reduced mitochondrial uncoupling, cytochrome c release and apoptosis of mononuclear cells, as did the 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor eicosatetraynoic acid. Conversely, the cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin was ineffective.

Reported data suggest that the 5-lipoxygenase branch of the arachidonate cascade is only responsible for mitochondrial disruption and apoptosis of PBMC of ESRD patients, and that vitamin E may be helpful in the control of oxidative stress-related disease in these subjects, independent of the administration route.