The urokinase-type plasminogen activator/its soluble receptor system is independently related to carotid atherosclerosis and associated with CC-chemokines in uraemic patients.

INTRODUCTION: The urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA)/its soluble receptor (suPAR) and CC-chemokines are two systems contributing in the atherosclerosis. We try to establish whether these two systems were associated among themselves, and the significance of this potential association in relation to carotid atherosclerosis in uraemic patients.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: We determined uPA, suPAR, CC-chemokines: monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (CCL2), macrophage inflammatory proteins (CCL3, CCL4), regulated upon activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted (CCL5) and the intima-media thickness (IMT) values in uraemic patients on peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), haemodialysis (HD) and healthy controls.
RESULTS: The values of the uPA/suPAR system, CCL2, CCL4 and IMT in the patients significantly exceeded those in controls, whereas CCL5 were lower in the patients than in the controls. CCL3 concentrations were similar in all investigated groups. CCL2, CCL4 and CCL5 were positively associated with uPA/suPAR system. CCL2 and CCL4 were associated with IMT. Multivariate analysis showed that uPA, suPAR and age were the strong independent variables linked to IMT values.
CONCLUSIONS: The carotid atherosclerosis is independently related to uPA/its soluble receptor system in dialysis patients. In addition, the strong positive associations existed between uPA/suPAR system and CC-chemokines suggesting that these two systems could cooperate and influence of atherosclerosis in these patients.