DNA methylation: hemodialysis versus hemodiafiltration.

Aberrant DNA methylation is an emerging characteristic of chronic kidney disease including dialysis patients. It appears to be associated to inflammation. We compared the global DNA methylation status in 10 control subjects compared to 80 dialysis patients (N = 40 on-line hemodiafiltration, N = 40 high-flux hemodialysis) in relation to the dialysis technique and inflammation. Whole blood DNA methylation was assessed with a 5-mc DNA enzyme linked immunosorbent assay Kit. Global DNA methylation was higher in hemodialysis (HD) compared to on-line hemodiafiltration (HDF) patients (0.045 vs. 0.039; P < 0.0001) and controls (0.045 vs. 0.0284; P = 0.0002 for HD; 0.039 vs. 0.0284; P = 0.0254 for on-line HDF). To study the influence of the dialysis technique on DNA methylation we divided dialysis patients according to the median value of 5-mC. DNA methylation was highest in inflamed patients on hemodialysis. The dialysis technique was the only independent predictor of global DNA methylation in dialysis patients. On-line HDF could be associated with a favorable DNA methylation profile.