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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

Association between cystatin C and arteriosclerosis in the absence of chronic kidney disease

Hiroshi Yamashita1, Tomoya Nishino, Yoko Obata

  • 1Second Department of Internal Medicine, Nagasaki University School of Medicine, Nagasaki 852-8501, Japan.

Journal of Atherosclerosis and Thrombosis
|April 12, 2013
PubMed

Insights

This study found that serum cystatin C levels correlate with cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI), an early arteriosclerosis marker, in women without chronic kidney disease (CKD). This suggests cystatin C may predict vascular changes even in individuals with normal kidney function.

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Cardiology
  • Vascular Biology

Background:

  • Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD).
  • Serum cystatin C is an emerging marker of kidney function and a predictor of CVD.
  • The relationship between cystatin C and arteriosclerosis in individuals without CKD is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between serum cystatin C levels and markers of arteriosclerosis in a population without CKD.
  • To determine if cystatin C can predict early vascular changes in individuals with preserved kidney function.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of 446 Japanese adults (eGFR >60 mL/min, no proteinuria, no history of CVD).
  • Kidney function assessed by serum cystatin C and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).
  • Arteriosclerosis evaluated using cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT).

Main Results:

  • A significant correlation was found between serum cystatin C and CAVI in women.
  • No significant correlation was observed between serum cystatin C and CIMT in either gender.
  • No significant differences in variables were noted based on gender.

Conclusions:

  • Serum cystatin C is significantly associated with CAVI, a marker of early arteriosclerosis, in women without CKD.
  • These findings suggest cystatin C may serve as a predictor of vascular damage in individuals with normal kidney function.
  • Further research is warranted to explore the clinical implications of these findings.
Abstract

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