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Plasma thrombomodulin in renal disease: effects of renal function and proteinuria
R Rustom1, H Leggat, H R Tomura
1Regional Renal Unit, Liverpool, UK.
Abstract:
Plasma thrombomodulin (PTM) may be a marker of vascular endothelial damage and is increased in active vasculitis. However, since PTM is a mixture of glycoproteins (MW between 28 to 105 kD), some may be variably excreted by the kidney. PTM level thus may be affected both renal impairment and proteinuria. This study examines patients with varied renal pathology and relates PTM levels to renal function and proteinuria. PTM levels were measured in eighty nine renal patients with varied renal pathology: 23 patients on hemodialysis (HD), 66 with variable renal function (from normal to severe renal impairment), and proteinuria from insignificant to nephrotic range. PTM levels rose as renal function declined and were highest in HD patients. PTM levels also seemed to rise with increasing proteinuria. Indeed, this relationship appeared to be exaggerated in patients with hypertensive and diabetic nephropathy compared to those with primary glomerulonephritis. Measurements of PTM are clearly affected both by renal function and proteinuria. Thus the confidence limits above which an abnormal level is recognised should be increased as renal function declines.
Insights
Plasma thrombomodulin (PTM) levels increase with declining kidney function and worsening proteinuria. PTM measurements require adjusted interpretation in patients with renal impairment.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Vascular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Plasma thrombomodulin (PTM) is a potential marker for vascular endothelial damage.
- PTM levels are elevated in active vasculitis.
- PTM is a mixture of glycoproteins with variable renal excretion, suggesting potential influence of kidney function and proteinuria on its levels.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between plasma thrombomodulin levels and renal function.
- To examine the impact of proteinuria on plasma thrombomodulin levels.
- To assess how varying renal pathology affects PTM measurements.
Main Methods:
- PTM levels were measured in 89 renal patients with diverse renal pathologies.
- Patients included those on hemodialysis (HD) and those with variable renal function and proteinuria.
- PTM levels were correlated with indicators of renal function and proteinuria.
Main Results:
- PTM levels demonstrated an inverse correlation with renal function, increasing as kidney function declined.
- PTM levels were highest in patients undergoing hemodialysis.
- PTM levels appeared to increase with proteinuria, with a more pronounced effect in hypertensive and diabetic nephropathy compared to primary glomerulonephritis.
Conclusions:
- Plasma thrombomodulin measurements are significantly influenced by both renal function and proteinuria.
- Interpretation of PTM levels should consider the degree of renal impairment.
- Abnormal PTM level thresholds may need adjustment based on declining renal function.
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