PON1 status in haemodialysis patients and the impact of hepatitis C infection

Objectives: Paraoxonase-1 (PON1) activity has been reported to decrease in both haemodialysis patients and patients with HCV infection. We aimed to investigate paraoxonase and arylesterase activities, and lipid hydroperoxide levels (LOOH) in haemodialysis patients with or without hepatitis C infection, and to find out whether PON1 activity is affected further by the presence of HCV infection in HD patients. Design and methods: Twenty HCV (+) haemodialysis patients, 26 HCV (-) haemodialysis patients, and 26 controls were enrolled. Paraoxonase and arylesterase activities were measured spectrophotometrically. LOOH levels were measured by ferrous oxidation with xylenol orange assay. Results: Haemodialysis patients with or without HCV infection had lower paraoxonase and arylesterase activities than controls (all p < 0.001), while higher LOOH levels (both p < 0.001). Paraoxonase and arylesterase activities, and LOOH levels were comparable between haemodialysis patients with or without HCV infection (p > 0.05). Significant inverse correlation was observed between paraoxonase or arylesterase activities, and LOOH levels (p < 0.05, β = - 0.319 and p < 0.05, β = - 0.348, respectively). Conclusion: We concluded that PON1 activity significantly decreases in both haemodialysis patients with or without HCV infection. Nevertheless, PON1 activity is not affected further by the presence of HCV infection in haemodialysis patients.