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Assessment of Vascular Function in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease
08:50

Assessment of Vascular Function in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease

Published on: June 16, 2014

Serum fetuin-a concentration and endothelial dysfunction in chronic kidney disease

Kayser Caglar1, Mahmut Ilker Yilmaz, Mutlu Saglam

  • 1Department of Nephrology, Gülhane School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey. kaysercaglar@yahoo.co

Nephron. Clinical Practice
|March 13, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Low fetuin-A levels are linked to endothelial dysfunction in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. This suggests fetuin-A may contribute to the development of vascular issues in CKD.

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Endothelial dysfunction is common in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and precedes atherosclerosis.
  • Fetuin-A, a known calcification inhibitor, was investigated as a potential factor in endothelial dysfunction.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the association between serum fetuin-A concentrations and endothelial dysfunction in patients with varying stages of CKD.

Main Methods:

  • 198 non-diabetic CKD patients underwent flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) assessment via brachial ultrasonography.
  • Serum fetuin-A levels were measured using ELISA.
  • Carotid intima-media thickness was also assessed.

Main Results:

  • Endothelial dysfunction was present across all CKD stages and worsened with reduced kidney function.
  • Serum fetuin-A levels were decreased in most CKD stages.
  • Fetuin-A and intact parathyroid hormone were independently associated with endothelial dysfunction.

Conclusions:

  • Fetuin-A may play a role in the development of endothelial dysfunction in patients with chronic kidney disease.
  • Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise mechanisms.
Abstract

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