Serum oxidized low-density lipoprotein is inversely correlated to telomerase activity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of haemodialysis patients

SUMMARY: Background: Telomerase preserves telomeres’ function and structure preventing cellular senescence. Its activity is reduced in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of haemodialysis (HD) patients. The purpose of this study is to investigate the potential correlation between increased oxidative stress/inflammation and telomerase activity in PBMC of HD patients. Methods: Telomerase activity was measured by PCR-ELISA in PBMC isolated from a group of 42 HD patients and 39 subjects with estimated glomerular filtration rate ≥80 mL/min (control group). Serum oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL), tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) were also measured in both groups by ELISA. Results: Ox-LDL was negatively correlated to percentage telomerase activity in PBMC (r = −0.506, P = 0.000 in the whole group of 81 HD and normal subjects and r = −0.559, P