Association between glomerular filtration rate and endothelial function in an elderly community cohort

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Research
• Nephrology
• Vascular Biology

Background:

• Endothelial dysfunction is common in chronic kidney disease (CKD).
• The relationship between estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and endothelial function in the general population remains unclear.
• Investigating this association is crucial for understanding early vascular changes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the cross-sectional association between eGFR and endothelial function in a community-based elderly cohort.
• To explore subgroup analyses in individuals with normal kidney function (eGFR >60 ml/min/1.73 m(2)).

Main Methods:

• The Prospective Investigation of the Vasculature of Uppsala Seniors (PIVUS) study included 952 participants (mean age 70).
• Assessed eGFR (cystatin C-based) and three measures of endothelial function: endothelial-dependent vasodilation (EDV), endothelial-independent vasodilatation (EIDV), and flow-mediated dilatation (FMD).
• Statistical analyses adjusted for age, sex, and cardiovascular risk factors.

Main Results:

• In the entire cohort, higher eGFR correlated with improved EDV and EIDV, but these associations disappeared after adjusting for cardiovascular risk factors.
• In participants with normal eGFR, a higher eGFR was associated with improved EDV, even after adjustments.
• No significant association was found between eGFR and FMD in any group or model.

Conclusions:

• eGFR is associated with endothelial function in individuals with normal kidney function.
• This association is largely explained by confounding cardiovascular risk factors.
• The study does not support a direct causal relationship between renal and vascular function before the onset of CKD.