The association of circulating leptin level with peripheral DNA damage in hemodialysis subjects

Objectives: Hemodialysis subjects have been shown to have both elevated serum leptin and peripheral DNA damage level, and leptin has been suggested to induce apoptotic features. Thus, in the present study, we aimed at finding out if there is any relationship between serum leptin level and peripheral DNA damage in hemodialysis subjects. Design and methods: Forty hemodialysis subjects and 21 controls were included in the present study. Serum leptin level and peripheral DNA damage were assayed in all subjects enrolled in the study. Comet assay was used in determining DNA damage in peripheral lymphocyte. Results: Both serum leptin level and peripheral DNA damage were significantly higher in hemodialysis subjects than control (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001, respectively). Female subjects had significantly higher serum leptin level than male subjects in both hemodialysis and control group (both P < 0.05). Significant correlation was observed between serum leptin level, and gender and body fat mass in both hemodialysis (P < 0.05, β = − 0.637 and P < 0.05, β = 0.386, respectively) and control group (P < 0.05, β = − 0.569 and P < 0.05, β = − 0.460, respectively). In hemodialysis subjects, peripheral DNA damage was significantly correlated with serum leptin level (P < 0.05, β = 0.508). Conclusion: In end-stage renal disease subjects, elevated serum leptin level seems to be associated with peripheral DNA damage and thus, may, in part, have a role in the development of DNA damage associated disorders.