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Author Interview: Jose M. Valdivielso, PhD
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Publication: Assessment of the Potential Role of Active Vitamin D Treatment in Telomere Length: A Case-Control Study in Hemodialysis Patients.Borras M, Panizo S, Sarró F, Valdivielso JM, Fernandez E. |
What are the main findings of the study? |
The main finding is that hemodialysis (HD) treatment is associated with a decrease in telomere lengthin peripheral mononuclear blood cells (PMBC). Telomeres are special chromatin sequences at the end of chromosomes. These sequences are shortened with age and stress and determine the fate of the cells. When telomere length is too short cells stop dividing and become senescent.
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Were any of the findings unexpected? |
The finding that active vitamin D is increasing telomere length was somewhat unexpected. The data about the effect of active vitamin D and telomere length are conflictive, and seem to be dependent of the cell type. |
What should clinicians and patients take away from this study? |
The main conclusion is that hemodialysis produces a premature aging of the patient, and that strategies aimed to improve the HD process need to be implemented. Further studies should determine whether different HD treatments (frequent, extended, daily HD, etc) show a better profile in PBMC length. It would also be of interest to check whether different membranes show a different effect in telomere length.
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What recommendations do you have for future studies as a result of your study? |
The main recommendation is to use active vitamin D compounds in the routine treatment of HD patients |
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