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Low Mitochondrial DNA Copy Number is Associated With Adverse Clinical Outcomes in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients

Chang-Yun Yoon1, Jung Tak Park, Youn Kyung Kee

  • 1From the Department of Internal Medicine (C-YY, JTP, YKK, SGH, IMH, YEK, KSP, MJL, SHH, S-WK, T-HY), Yonsei University College of Medicine; and Severance Biomedical Science Institute (S-WK, T-HY), Brain Korea 21 PLUS, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

Medicine
|February 18, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Lower mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number is linked to worse clinical outcomes in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. This study found decreased mtDNA copy number associated with adverse events, excluding mortality.

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Mitochondrial Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Mitochondrial dysfunction is implicated in abnormal glucose metabolism and systemic inflammation.
  • Peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients may experience unique metabolic and inflammatory challenges.
  • Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number is a potential biomarker for cellular health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number and clinical outcomes in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients.
  • To determine if mtDNA copy number predicts all-cause mortality, cardiovascular events, technical PD failure, or incident malignancy.

Main Methods:

  • 120 prevalent PD patients were recruited.
  • Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number was quantified using PCR.
  • Cox proportional hazards analysis was employed to assess the independent association of mtDNA copy number with clinical outcomes over a mean follow-up of 35.4 months.

Main Results:

  • The highest mtDNA copy number tertile was associated with significantly lower incidences of secondary outcomes (cardiovascular events, technical PD failure, malignancy).
  • mtDNA copy number was not significantly associated with all-cause mortality.
  • Decreased mtDNA copy number showed a significant association with adverse clinical outcomes in PD patients.

Conclusions:

  • Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number may serve as a prognostic biomarker for adverse clinical outcomes in PD patients, excluding mortality.
  • Further research is warranted to explore the therapeutic potential of targeting mitochondrial function in PD.
  • The findings highlight the role of mitochondrial health in the systemic complications of chronic kidney disease patients undergoing PD.

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