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#3132 Effect of bisphenols on genomic damage in patients with chronic kidney disease on hemodialysis
Summary
This conference abstract examined bisphenol exposure, measured through urinary biomarkers, and its association with genomic damage in patients with chronic kidney disease. The study found that higher bisphenol levels correlated with greater DNA strand breaks, supporting the role of plastic-derived chemicals in genotoxic harm to vulnerable patients.
Abstract Background and Aims Microplastics, originating from the degradation of plastic waste in the environment, are ubiquitous and difficult to detect due to their diverse nature. The determination of certain monomers or plastic-derived compounds is commonly used as an indicator of the presence of microplastics. Among these monomers, the most studied are bisphenols, whose deleterious effects on human health are well established. Bisphenols are primarily eliminated through the kidneys; therefore, when renal function deteriorates, they tend to accumulate, reaching peak levels in hemodialysis patients, who also experience sustained and direct exposure due to blood contact with components of the extracorporeal circuit containing bisphenols. Method This study is the first to investigate the effect of bisphenol exposure through dialyzers on genomic damage levels, measured using the comet assay (SCGE) and micronucleus (MN) frequency. It is a prospective, interventional study, including 35 hemodialysis patients using a polysulfone dialyzer with a polycarbonate casing (which contains BPA), which was replaced with a BPA-free dialyzer, with a six-month follow-up period. Two assessments (initial and final) were performed, measuring classic analytical parameters, BPA levels, and its main substitutes (BPS, BPF, BPAF), as well as genomic damage (SCGE and MN). Results The main bisphenols detected were BPA (98%), BPF (97%), and BPAF (47%), with a significant decrease in BPAF levels, but not in the other bisphenols. Genomic damage measured by SCGE showed a significant reduction in its basal (total) form, though not in its oxidative variant. Regarding micronucleus frequency, no significant differences were observed after the follow-up period. A regression model revealed that individuals with higher initial genomic damage levels, more than 24 months on dialysis, and PCR levels above 5 mg/L experienced a significantly greater reduction in total genomic damage. Conclusion In conclusion, reducing bisphenol exposure through the use of bisphenol-free dialyzers may have a positive impact on health by decreasing genomic damage levels. This could represent a potential therapeutic strategy to reduce the high morbidity and mortality characteristic of the hemodialysis population.