Serum Osteoprotegerin Levels and the Extent of Aortic Calcification in Hemodialysis Patients / 대한신장학회잡지

ABSTRACT

BACKGOUND Vascular calcification is highly correlated with cardiovascular disease mortality, especially in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Recent experimental research has implicated osteoprotegerin (OPG) in medial arterial calcification. The present study aims to examine whether serum OPG level is associated with the extent of aortic calcification in hemodialysis patients. METHODS: We studied 57 ESRD patients (59.5+/-14.1 years) on maintenance hemodialysis. Serum OPG level was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Abdominal aortic calcific deposits index (AAC index) was analysed with lateral lumbar radiograms. Patients were classified into tertile groups according to their AAC index group I (0, n= 18), group II (1-4, n=18) and group III (5-18, n=21). Brachial ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) was also measured. RESULTS: Serum OPG level was greater in patients with higher AAC index than in those with lower AAC index but it was not statistically significant (group I 409.8+/-343.5 pg/mL, group II 575.9+/-723.3 pg/mL and group III 660.8+/-593.5 pg/mL, p=0.399). There was a trend that serum OPG level was positively associated with AAC index, but it was not statistically significant (r=0.089, p=0.511). Serum OPG level showed positive correlation with age and pulse pressure. AAC index positively related with age and baPWV. CONCLUSION: Serum OPG levels seems to be positively related to AAC index by lateral lumbar radiograms, but it was not statistically significant. We suggest more extended studies to determine that serum OPG is helpful clinical marker for the extent of vascular calcification in maintenance hemodialysis patients.