Leukocyte mitochondrial DNA copy number as a potential biomarker indicating poor outcome in biliary atresia and its association with oxidative DNA damage and telomere length

Publication date: Available online 20 April 2019Source: MitochondrionAuthor(s): Wanvisa Udomsinprasert, Yong Poovorawan, Voranush Chongsrisawat, Paisarn Vejchapipat, Jiraphun Jittikoon, Sittisak HonsawekAbstractBiliary atresia (BA) is a chronic obstructive liver disease, leading to advanced liver failure. Mitochondria dysfunction-mediated aberrant telomere length has been implicated in various pathological processes including cholestasis. Herein, we aimed to investigate associations between mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number, oxidative DNA damage, telomere length, and disease severity in BA patients. mtDNA copy number and relative telomere length (RTL) were assessed using real-time PCR. Circulating 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) was measured using ELISA. Our findings showed that BA patients had significantly lower mtDNA copy number and RTL than healthy controls, whereas plasma 8-OHdG levels were significantly elevated in BA patients. mtDNA copy number was remarkably reduced in advanced BA patients. Furthermore, mtDNA copy number was independently associated with age and degree of liver fibrosis in BA patients. Decreased mtDNA copy number was significantly associated with elevated risks of BA, severe fibrosis, jaundice, and hepatic dysfunction. Low mtDNA copy number can be utilized to distinguish patients with poor-outcome from those with good-outcome. Survival curve analysis revealed that low mtDNA copy number was significantly associated with poor survival of BA p...
Source: Mitochondrion - Category: Biochemistry Source Type: research