Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 26, 2026

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

Fetuin-A and arterial stiffness in patients with normal kidney function

Marcel Roos1, Tom Richart, Tatiana Kouznetsova

  • 1Department of Nephrology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany. marphiro@hotmail.com

Regulatory Peptides
|December 27, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Fetuin-A levels inversely correlate with aortic stiffness in men with normal kidney function. Male carriers of the fetuin-A SerSer genotype exhibit significantly higher aortic stiffness, indicating potential cardiovascular risk.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular research
  • Vascular biology
  • Genetics and cardiovascular health

Background:

  • Aortic pulse wave velocity (aPWV) predicts cardiovascular mortality.
  • Fetuin-A inhibits calcification and is linked to vascular stiffness in dialysis patients.
  • The fetuin-A Thr256Ser polymorphism affects fetuin-A levels and vascular calcification in dialysis patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between fetuin-A levels and its gene polymorphism (Thr256Ser) with arterial function in individuals with normal kidney function.
  • To determine if fetuin-A independently predicts arterial stiffness in healthy subjects.

Main Methods:

  • Study included 116 subjects with normal kidney function from the FLEMENGHO study.
  • Measurements included plasma fetuin-A, fetuin-A gene polymorphism (Thr256Ser), aortic pulse wave velocity (aPWV), and arterial distensibility.
  • Calcium levels and other arterial stiffness indicators were also assessed.

Main Results:

  • Fetuin-A levels showed a negative correlation with aPWV (r=-0.21, p=0.029).
  • After adjusting for covariables, fetuin-A remained independently associated with aPWV in males (r=-0.30, p=0.022), but not in females.
  • Male fetuin-A SerSer carriers had lower fetuin-A levels and significantly higher aPWV compared to ThrThr and ThrSer carriers.

Conclusions:

  • Fetuin-A levels, unlike other calcium variables, demonstrated an inverse relationship with aPWV in men with normal renal function.
  • Male fetuin-A SerSer genotype carriers present with notably high aortic stiffness, suggesting a potential increase in cardiovascular risk.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Measuring Ascending Aortic Stiffness In Vivo in Mice Using Ultrasound10:08

Measuring Ascending Aortic Stiffness In Vivo in Mice Using Ultrasound

Published on: December 2, 2014

Measuring the Stiffness of Ex Vivo Mouse Aortas Using Atomic Force Microscopy10:35

Measuring the Stiffness of Ex Vivo Mouse Aortas Using Atomic Force Microscopy

Published on: October 19, 2016

Related Concept Videos

Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Excretion01:18

Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Excretion

In geriatric patients, renal physiology undergoes significant changes, including diminished renal blood flow and a lower glomerular filtration rate (GFR), leading to alterations in medication clearance. Drugs such as aminoglycoside antibiotics, lithium, and digoxin, which rely on glomerular filtration for removal from the body, particularly impact pharmacokinetics. These drugs tend to have slower clearance rates in older adults, necessitating careful dosage considerations.Evaluation of renal...
Hypertension II: Pathophysiology01:29

Hypertension II: Pathophysiology

Hypertension is a chronic condition in which the blood's force against artery walls is excessively high, posing risks such as heart disease. The condition's underlying mechanisms involve complex interactions among the cardiovascular, kidney, and autonomic nervous systems.Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS): This system significantly influences blood pressure regulation. When blood pressure decreases, the kidneys secrete renin. This enzyme transforms angiotensinogen, a plasma protein,...
Chronic Kidney Disease II: Clinical Manifestations01:24

Chronic Kidney Disease II: Clinical Manifestations

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) progressively impairs multiple body systems due to the accumulation of uremic toxins, which disrupt cellular functions across various organs.Neurologic symptomsNeurologic symptoms often arise early in CKD, as uremic toxin buildup drives changes in cognitive and motor functions. Patients frequently experience fatigue, headache, confusion, difficulty concentrating, and, in severe cases, seizures. Peripheral neuropathy commonly manifests as burning sensations in the...
Acute Kidney Injury IV: Diagnostic Studies and Prevention01:30

Acute Kidney Injury IV: Diagnostic Studies and Prevention

Accurate diagnosis and effective prevention are critical in managing Acute Kidney Injury (AKI), which is linked to high mortality rates ranging from 10% to 80%. Timely recognition of at-risk patients and careful monitoring can significantly reduce the likelihood of kidney damage.Diagnostic Assessments:The diagnostic process starts with a comprehensive medical history to identify prerenal, intrarenal, and postrenal causes.Prerenal causes, such as dehydration, hypotension, or blood loss, should...
Drug Dosing in Renal Diseases: Measurement of Glomerular Filtration Rate01:25

Drug Dosing in Renal Diseases: Measurement of Glomerular Filtration Rate

The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is a critical indicator of kidney health, reflecting how well the kidneys filter blood. Changes in GFR can signal potential kidney impairment, necessitating accurate measurement methods to monitor kidney function effectively.Various molecules can serve as markers for GFR measurement, with the ideal marker meeting several specific criteria. It must freely filter at the glomerulus, avoid reabsorption or secretion by the renal tubules, remain unmetabolized, not...
Renal Corpuscle01:20

Renal Corpuscle

The glomerulus and Bowman's capsule are two essential components of the nephron, which is the functional unit of the kidney. These microscopic structures play a critical role in the process of blood filtration to produce urine.
Glomerulus: Structure and Function
The glomerulus is a tiny, intricate network of capillaries located at the beginning of the nephron. It's enveloped by the Bowman's capsule and receives its blood supply from an afferent arteriole, which divides into numerous capillaries...