Endothelial function, CRP and oxidative stress in chronic kidney disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in cardiovascular disease (CVD). Apart from traditional risk factors, chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, malnutrition and endothelial dysfunction are important in CVD development in renal patients. Our aim was to investigate the relationship between high sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP), endothelium dependent vasodilation (EDV) and oxidative stress markers in patients with CKD K/DOQI stage 3-5.

Measurements of CRP, conjugated dienes (CD), lipid hydroperoxide (LOOH), oxidized low density lipoprotein,glutathione and albumin were performed in 44 consecutive patients with CKD stage 3-5. EDV was measured by methacholine infusion in the brachial artery and venous occlusion plethysmography.

Patients with high CRP had significantly lower glomerular filtration rates and albumin, but increased LOOH and CD. In multiple regression analysis, only LOOH and CD remained significant. Patients with poor EDV had increased urea and lower glutathione (GSH). In multiple regression analysis, GSH and urea were independently related to EDV. No correlation was found between CRP and endothelial function.

CRP was related to lipid peroxidation, while endothelial function was related to intracellular oxidative stress in patients with CKD. CRP and EDV were unrelated to each other. Therefore, CRP and endothelial function could provide complementary prognostic information regarding future cardiovascular disorders in renal patients.