Serum level of macrophage colony-stimulating factor and atherosclerosis in hemodialysis patients

Kazutaka Haraguchi1, Masashi Kubo, Takehiro Saito

  • 13rd Department of Internal Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Kofu, Japan. kazutaka@swallow.res.yamanashi-med.ac.jp

Nephron. Clinical Practice
|September 17, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Macrophage colony-stimulating factor (MCSF) is linked to atherosclerosis markers like intima-media thickness (IMT) and aortic calcification index (ACI) in hemodialysis (HD) patients. MCSF showed a stronger association than high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP).

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Nephrology
  • Biomarkers

Background:

  • Atherosclerosis is a primary cause of mortality in hemodialysis (HD) patients.
  • Aortic calcification index (ACI), intima-media thickness (IMT), and ECG are key atherosclerotic indicators.
  • Macrophage colony-stimulating factor (MCSF) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) are implicated in atherosclerosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between serum MCSF, MCP-1 levels, and atherosclerotic parameters (ACI, IMT, ECG) in HD patients.
  • To compare the association of MCSF and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) with IMT and ACI.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional study of 133 maintenance HD outpatients.
  • Serum MCSF and MCP-1 levels were measured.
  • ACI was determined by computed tomography; IMT by high-sensitivity ultrasound; ECGs were performed.

Main Results:

  • MCSF levels correlated with age-adjusted IMT and diastolic blood pressure.
  • MCSF and age were independently associated with increased ACI.
  • hsCRP correlated with ECG changes, while MCSF showed a weaker association; MCP-1 was not significantly related to these parameters.

Conclusions:

  • MCSF is significantly associated with IMT and ACI in HD patients.
  • MCSF demonstrates a stronger association with IMT and ACI compared to hsCRP.
  • These findings highlight MCSF as a potential biomarker for atherosclerosis in the HD population.
Abstract