Role of Uremic Toxins on Apoptosis With Varying Periods of Hemodialysis.

Increased apoptotic cell death in uremic patients has been confirmed by a variety of studies. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of uremic toxins and duration of hemodialysis (HD) therapy on apoptosis by means of measuring serum caspase cleaved CK18 (CCCK-18) levels. Seventy chronic HD patients were recruited and divided into three groups with differing periods of HD, from 6 months to 10 years. Twelve healthy subjects served as controls. Serum CCCK-18 level was found significantly higher in HD patient groups (Group 2; 189 ± 71 IU/L, Group 3; 182 ± 65 IU/L, Group 4; 204 ± 111 IU/L) as compared to the control group (122 ± 20 U/L) (P < 0.05). When all hemodialysis patients considered together serum CCCK-18 showed positive correlation with serum uric acid and phosphorus (P < 0.05). In conclusion, our results suggest that apoptosis is enhanced in HD patients, phosphorus and uric acid might play a role in this increment, but duration of HD therapy has no effect on apoptosis.