Protein Carbonyl Content Is a Predictive Biomarker of Eccentric Left Ventricular Hypertrophy in Hemodialysis Patients

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Cardiology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Chronic hemodialysis patients often exhibit left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and heightened oxidative stress, both linked to adverse outcomes.
• Abnormal left ventricular geometry and specific geometric patterns are significant factors in patient prognosis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between oxidative stress markers and myocardial remodeling in chronic hemodialysis patients.
• To determine if oxidative stress influences the development of different left ventricular hypertrophy patterns.

Main Methods:

• Assessed plasma malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl (PC) content, and total antioxidative capacity (TAC) in 104 hemodialysis patients.
• Utilized transthoracic echocardiography to evaluate left ventricular geometry and hypertrophy.
• Performed multivariate analysis to identify independent predictors of eccentric LVH (eLVH).

Main Results:

• Patients with LVH showed significantly higher plasma MDA and PC concentrations compared to those with normal geometry.
• Protein carbonyls emerged as an independent predictor of eccentric LVH, associated with increased left ventricular end-diastolic diameter and volume.
• A dose-response relationship was observed, with increasing PC tertiles correlating with a higher incidence of eLVH.

Conclusions:

• Elevated plasma protein carbonyls are a significant independent predictor of eccentric LVH in patients on chronic hemodialysis.
• Oxidative protein modification, indicated by PCs, plays a crucial role in myocardial remodeling and the development of eLVH.
• These findings highlight the importance of monitoring oxidative stress in hemodialysis patients to potentially mitigate cardiac remodeling.