Fang-Fei Wei1, Lutgarde Thijs1, Zhen-Yu Zhang1, Lotte Jacobs1, Wen-Yi Yang1, Erika Salvi2, Lorena Citterio3, Nicholas Cauwenberghs1, Tatiana Kuznetsova1, Nadja E A Drummen4, Azusa Hara5, Paolo Manunta3, Yan Li6, Peter Verhamme7, Karel Allegaert8, Daniele Cusi2, Cees Vermeer4, Jan A Staessen1,4. 1. Studies Coordinating Centre, Research Unit of Hypertension and Cardiovascular Epidemiology, KU Leuven Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. 2. Genomics and Bioinformatics Platform at Filarete Foundation, Department of Health Sciences and Graduate School of Nephrology, Division of Nephrology, San Paolo Hospital, University of Milan, Italy. 3. Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute and School of Nephrology, University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy. 4. R&D Group VitaK, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands. 5. Department of Social Pharmacy and Public Health, Showa Pharmaceutical University, Tokyo, Japan. 6. Center for Epidemiological Studies and Clinical Trials and Center for Vascular Evaluations, Shanghai Institute of Hypertension, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Hypertension, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China. 7. Research Unit of Molecular and Vascular Biology, KU Leuven Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. 8. Research Unit of Organ Systems, KU Leuven Department of Development and Regeneration, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
Abstract
Background: Vitamin K (VK)-dependent γ-glutamate carboxylation and serine phosphorylation activate matrix Gla protein (MGP) to a potent locally acting inhibitor of calcification. Nephrolithiasis represents a process of unwanted calcification associated with substantial mortality and high recurrence rates. We hypothesized that the risk of nephrolithiasis increases with VK shortage, as exemplified by higher plasma levels of desphospho-uncarboxylated MGP (dp-ucMGP). Methods: In 1748 randomly recruited Flemish individuals (51.1% women; mean age 46.8 years), we determined dp-ucMGP and the prevalence of nephrolithiasis at baseline (April 1996-February 2015) and its incidence during follow-up until March 2016. We estimated the multivariable-adjusted relative risk associated with the doubling of dp-ucMGP, using logistic or Cox regression. We did a Mendelian randomization analysis using four MGP genotypes as instrumental variables. Results: With adjustments applied for sex, age and 24-h urinary volume and calcium excretion, the odds of having prevalent nephrolithiasis [n = 144 (8.2%)] associated with dp-ucMGP was 1.31 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.04-1.64; P = 0.022]. dp-ucMGP levels were associated (P ≤ 0.001) with MGP variants rs2098435, rs4236 and rs2430692. In the Mendelian analysis, the causal odds ratio was 3.82 (95% CI 1.15-12.7; P = 0.029). The incidence of nephrolithiasis over 12.0 years (median) was 37 cases (0.2%). With similar adjustments as before, the hazard ratio in relation to dp-ucMGP was 2.48 (95% CI 1.71-3.61; P < 0.001). Additional adjustment for a nephrolithiasis propensity score produced consistent results. Conclusion: Higher levels of inactive dp-ucMGP may be causally associated with the risk of nephrolithiasis. Whether or not VK deficiency plays a role in these observations remains to be firmly established.
RCT Entities:
Background: Vitamin K (VK)-dependent γ-glutamate carboxylation and serine phosphorylation activate matrix Gla protein (MGP) to a potent locally acting inhibitor of calcification. Nephrolithiasis represents a process of unwanted calcification associated with substantial mortality and high recurrence rates. We hypothesized that the risk of nephrolithiasis increases with VK shortage, as exemplified by higher plasma levels of desphospho-uncarboxylated MGP (dp-ucMGP). Methods: In 1748 randomly recruited Flemish individuals (51.1% women; mean age 46.8 years), we determined dp-ucMGP and the prevalence of nephrolithiasis at baseline (April 1996-February 2015) and its incidence during follow-up until March 2016. We estimated the multivariable-adjusted relative risk associated with the doubling of dp-ucMGP, using logistic or Cox regression. We did a Mendelian randomization analysis using four MGP genotypes as instrumental variables. Results: With adjustments applied for sex, age and 24-h urinary volume and calcium excretion, the odds of having prevalent nephrolithiasis [n = 144 (8.2%)] associated with dp-ucMGP was 1.31 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.04-1.64; P = 0.022]. dp-ucMGP levels were associated (P ≤ 0.001) with MGP variants rs2098435, rs4236 and rs2430692. In the Mendelian analysis, the causal odds ratio was 3.82 (95% CI 1.15-12.7; P = 0.029). The incidence of nephrolithiasis over 12.0 years (median) was 37 cases (0.2%). With similar adjustments as before, the hazard ratio in relation to dp-ucMGP was 2.48 (95% CI 1.71-3.61; P < 0.001). Additional adjustment for a nephrolithiasis propensity score produced consistent results. Conclusion: Higher levels of inactive dp-ucMGP may be causally associated with the risk of nephrolithiasis. Whether or not VK deficiency plays a role in these observations remains to be firmly established.
Authors: Vincent Castiglione; Hans Pottel; John Charles Lieske; Pierre Lukas; Etienne Cavalier; Pierre Delanaye; Andrew David Rule Journal: J Nephrol Date: 2019-06-20 Impact factor: 3.902