Yuji Shimizu1, Hirotomo Yamanashi2, Yuko Noguchi3, Jun Koyamatsu4, Mako Nagayoshi3, Kairi Kiyoura3, Shoichi Fukui3, Mami Tamai5, Shin-Ya Kawashiri3, Hideaki Kondo2, Takahiro Maeda6. 1. Department of Community Medicine, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki, Japan; Department of Cardiovascular Disease Prevention, Osaka Center for Cancer and Cardiovascular Disease Prevention, Osaka, Japan. Electronic address: shimizu@osaka-ganjun.jp. 2. Department of General Medicine, Nagasaki University Hospital, Nagasaki, Japan. 3. Department of Community Medicine, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki, Japan. 4. Department of Island and Community Medicine, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki, Japan. 5. Department of Immunology and Rheumatology, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki, Japan. 6. Department of Community Medicine, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki, Japan; Department of General Medicine, Nagasaki University Hospital, Nagasaki, Japan; Department of Island and Community Medicine, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki, Japan.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Endothelial injury is well-known as a process that can lead to chronic kidney disease (CKD) and atherosclerosis. Hematopoietic activity is known to be associated inversely with CKD and positively with atherosclerosis. Since bone-derived progenitor cells (CD34-positive cells) contribute to endothelial repair (including the progression of atherosclerosis), understanding the association between CKD and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), in relation to circulating CD34-positive cell count, may be an efficient means of clarifying the mechanisms underlying endothelial activity. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 570 elderly Japanese men aged 60-69 years, who underwent a general health check-up. Participants were stratified as per a median circulating CD34-positive cell count (1.01 cells/μL). RESULTS: Independent of the known cardiovascular risk factors, CIMT was found to be positively associated with CKD in the participants with high circulating CD34-positive cell counts but not in participants with low counts. Odds ratios were 1.40 (1.04, 1.89) for participants with high and 1.01 (0.72, 1.43) for participants with low circulating CD34-positive cell counts after adjustment for known cardiovascular risk factors at 95% confidence intervals for CKD with one standard deviation increment of CIMT. CONCLUSIONS: A positive association between CIMT and CKD was observed among participants with high circulating CD34-positive cell counts but not among participants with low counts. Endothelial repair activity might determine the association between CKD and CIMT.
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Endothelial injury is well-known as a process that can lead to chronic kidney disease (CKD) and atherosclerosis. Hematopoietic activity is known to be associated inversely with CKD and positively with atherosclerosis. Since bone-derived progenitor cells (CD34-positive cells) contribute to endothelial repair (including the progression of atherosclerosis), understanding the association between CKD and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), in relation to circulating CD34-positive cell count, may be an efficient means of clarifying the mechanisms underlying endothelial activity. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 570 elderly Japanese men aged 60-69 years, who underwent a general health check-up. Participants were stratified as per a median circulating CD34-positive cell count (1.01 cells/μL). RESULTS: Independent of the known cardiovascular risk factors, CIMT was found to be positively associated with CKD in the participants with high circulating CD34-positive cell counts but not in participants with low counts. Odds ratios were 1.40 (1.04, 1.89) for participants with high and 1.01 (0.72, 1.43) for participants with low circulating CD34-positive cell counts after adjustment for known cardiovascular risk factors at 95% confidence intervals for CKD with one standard deviation increment of CIMT. CONCLUSIONS: A positive association between CIMT and CKD was observed among participants with high circulating CD34-positive cell counts but not among participants with low counts. Endothelial repair activity might determine the association between CKD and CIMT.