FGF-23 in patients with end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis

Fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-23 is a recently identified circulating factor which causes renal phosphate wasting disorders. Although the mechanism of regulation of FGF-23 secretion is unknown, plasma FGF-23 level may be regulated or affected by serum phosphate levels because of its hypophosphatemic effect.

We tested the hypothesis that plasma FGF-23 levels may be increased in hyperphosphatemia in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on maintenance hemodialysis. We measured plasma FGF-23 levels in 158 male uremic patients on maintenance hemodialysis. Plasma samples were obtained before starting dialysis sessions to determine FGF-23 levels by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Plasma FGF-23 level exhibited significant and positive correlations with inorganic phosphate, intact parathyroid hormone (PTH), corrected calcium, and duration of hemodialysis on simple regression analyses. All these associations remained significant in multiple regression analyses.

Serum phosphate, calcium, and intact PTH could be regulators of FGF-23 levels in uremic patients on maintenance hemodialysis. Our results may provide new insights into the pathophysiologic effects of FGF-23 on calcium-phosphate homeostasis.