Nizameddin Koca1, Alparslan Ersoy2, Barış Şensoy3, Emine Kırhan4, Sümeyye Güllülü5, Canan Ersoy6, Melahat Dirican7, Emre Sarandöl7. 1. Department of Internal Medicine, University of Health Sciences, Bursa Yuksek Ihtisas Training and Research Hospital, Bursa, Turkey. nizameddin.koca@sbu.edu.tr. 2. Department of Nephrology and Transplantation, Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey. 3. Department of Cardiology, University of Health Sciences, Bursa Yuksek Ihtisas Training and Research Hospital, Bursa, Turkey. 4. Department of Biochemistry, Tavsanli State Hospital, Kutahya, Turkey. 5. Department of Cardiology, Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey. 6. Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey. 7. Department of Biochemistry, Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Low fetuin-A levels in hemodialysis patients can be associated with development of vascular and valvular calcifications. The mechanisms underlying vascular and valvular calcifications are multifactorial. There are a few studies showing the relationship between low fetuin-A levels and valvular calcification after kidney transplantation. We aimed to evaluate the association between serum fetuin-A levels and valvular calcification in kidney transplant recipients. METHODS: The cardiac valvular calcification was assessed by echocardiography in 56 recipients. Patients were divided into two groups as those with (n = 11) and without (n = 45) aortic and/or mitral valve calcification. The extent of valvular calcification was visually assessed according to the standard visual score method: moderately (multiple larger spots) and heavily calcified (extensive thickening and calcification) of all cusps. Serum fetuin-A levels were measured. RESULTS: The demographic features of both groups were comparable. There was no significant difference between regular physical exercise (63.6% vs. 55.6%), obesity (18.2% vs. 17.8%), abdominal obesity (54.5% vs. 46.7%), smoking (0% vs. 13.3%), hypertension (63.6% vs. 68.9%), left ventricular hypertrophy (45.5% vs. 33.3%) and diabetes mellitus (9.1% vs. 20%) ratios in groups with or without valvular calcification, respectively (p > 0.05). Fetuin-A levels of both groups did not differ. Fetuin-A levels positively correlated with serum creatinine (r 0.326, p = 0.014), and negatively correlated with estimated glomerular filtration rate (r - 0.297, p = 0.026). CONCLUSIONS: We could not find a relationship between serum fetuin-A levels and valvular calcification in kidney recipients. In this population, further studies are needed to assess the role of serum fetuin-A in valvular calcification.
OBJECTIVES: Low fetuin-A levels in hemodialysis patients can be associated with development of vascular and valvular calcifications. The mechanisms underlying vascular and valvular calcifications are multifactorial. There are a few studies showing the relationship between low fetuin-A levels and valvular calcification after kidney transplantation. We aimed to evaluate the association between serum fetuin-A levels and valvular calcification in kidney transplant recipients. METHODS: The cardiac valvular calcification was assessed by echocardiography in 56 recipients. Patients were divided into two groups as those with (n = 11) and without (n = 45) aortic and/or mitral valve calcification. The extent of valvular calcification was visually assessed according to the standard visual score method: moderately (multiple larger spots) and heavily calcified (extensive thickening and calcification) of all cusps. Serum fetuin-A levels were measured. RESULTS: The demographic features of both groups were comparable. There was no significant difference between regular physical exercise (63.6% vs. 55.6%), obesity (18.2% vs. 17.8%), abdominal obesity (54.5% vs. 46.7%), smoking (0% vs. 13.3%), hypertension (63.6% vs. 68.9%), left ventricular hypertrophy (45.5% vs. 33.3%) and diabetes mellitus (9.1% vs. 20%) ratios in groups with or without valvular calcification, respectively (p > 0.05). Fetuin-A levels of both groups did not differ. Fetuin-A levels positively correlated with serum creatinine (r 0.326, p = 0.014), and negatively correlated with estimated glomerular filtration rate (r - 0.297, p = 0.026). CONCLUSIONS: We could not find a relationship between serum fetuin-A levels and valvular calcification in kidney recipients. In this population, further studies are needed to assess the role of serum fetuin-A in valvular calcification.