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Predictive value of serum macrophage colony-stimulating factor for development of aortic calcification in
Toshiharu Kihara1, Yasuyoshi Miyata, Masataka Furukawa
1Division of Nephro-Urology, Department of Translational Medical Science, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Science, 1-7-1 Sakamoto, Nagasaki 852-8501, Japan.
Insights
Serum Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor (MCSF) predicts aortic calcification in hemodialysis (HD) patients. High MCSF levels are an independent long-term predictor of increased aortic calcification index (ACI) in HD patients.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Immunology
Background:
- Accelerated atherosclerosis is a major complication for patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD).
- Macrophage colony-stimulating factor (MCSF) influences monocyte/macrophage activation and atherosclerosis development in HD patients.
- The long-term predictive value of serum MCSF for aortic calcification in HD patients remains unestablished.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the long-term predictive value of serum MCSF levels for the development of aortic calcification in patients on hemodialysis.
- To determine if MCSF is an independent predictor of aortic calcification progression in this population.
Main Methods:
- Serum MCSF levels and aortic calcification index (ACI) were measured annually for 6 years in 40 HD patients.
- Logistic regression analysis was employed to assess the predictive value of MCSF and other factors for ACI.
Main Results:
- A significant baseline correlation was observed between serum MCSF and ACI.
- Patients with high baseline serum MCSF showed a significant increase in ACI starting at 4 years, which persisted.
- High serum MCSF and C-reactive protein (CRP) were identified as independent predictors of increased ACI at 6 years.
Conclusions:
- Serum MCSF is associated with the atherosclerotic process in HD patients.
- Serum MCSF level serves as an independent long-term predictor of increased aortic calcification.
- These findings offer valuable insights for developing preventive strategies against atherosclerotic disease in HD patients.
Background:
Accelerated atherosclerosis is a major complication in patients on haemodialysis (HD). Macrophage colony-stimulating factor (MCSF) is a representative regulator of activation of monocytes and macrophages, and plays important roles in the development of atherosclerosis in HD patients. However, the long-term predictive value of the serum MCSF level for the development of aortic calcification under HD conditions has not been reported.
Methods:
Serum MCSF level was measured in 40 HD patients. The aortic calcification index (ACI) was also calculated on computed tomography once each year for 6 years. Predictive value was examined by logistic regression analysis.
Results:
At baseline, there was a significant correlation between serum MCSF and ACI (r = 0.43, P<0.01). A significant increase in ACI was first noted at 4 years post-baseline and the increase was maintained thereafter in the high MCSF group. No such changes were noted in the low MCSF group. Univariate analysis identified high levels of calcium x phosphorus product, triglyceride, C-reactive protein (CRP), MCSF and presence of diabetes mellitus as significant predictors for increased ACI at 6 years. However, among these five factors, high levels of CRP and MCSF were the only independent and significant predictors (odds ratio = 24.0, P = 0.03 and odds ratio = 22.8, P = 0.02, respectively).
Conclusions:
Our results demonstrated that MCSF is associated with the process of atherosclerosis in HD patients. Furthermore, the serum MCSF level is an independent long-term predictor of increased ACI. These results provide useful information for preventive strategies against atherosclerotic disease under HD conditions.
