Chitotriosidase as a novel biomarker of early atherosclerosis in hemodialysis patients.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Increasing evidence suggests that inflammation and increased macrophage activity have a central role in pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. It is shown that chitotriosidase (CHIT-1) is a marker of macrophage activity in atherosclerotic plaque, and is found associated with severity of atherosclerotic lesion. There is no data about CHIT-1 activity of hemodialysis patients in the literature. Thus, we hypothesized that in hemodialysis patients, CHIT-1 levels might be a novel biomarker in early atherosclerosis. METHODS: Forty-five hemodialysis patients were included in the study (age 61.93 ± 13.34). Intima media thickness (IMT) was evaluated with high-resolution B-mode ultrasonography. Biomarker levels were measured in serum of patients. FINDINGS: We found positive correlation among IMT, age (R 0.426, P 0.004) and, CHIT-1 value (R 0.462, P 0.001) in spearman correlation analysis. When age, CRP, creatinine, P, Alb, CHIT-1 were chosen as measures that can effect IMT in multiple regression model, IMT level was related with CHIT-1 (Beta 0,396, P 0.012) and age (Beta 0,313 P 0,048) independently. DISCUSSION: In conclusion, this is the first report showing that serum CHIT-1 level was related independently with carotid IMT in hemodialysis patients. This biomarker might have an unknown role in the development of atherosclerosis during uremia.