The evaluation of the relationship between fetuin-A and traditional and non-traditional cardiovascular risk factors in kidney transplantation recipients

Abstract

Objectives: Kidney transplantation recipients (KTRs) have higher cardiovascular complications risk comparedto the general population. Cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF, Traditional and non-traditional) are widely studiedto understand the causes of increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in KTRs. Fetuin-A prevents fromvascular calcification (VC) by inhibiting production and collapsing of apatite crystals to the vascular wall. Therelationship between fetuin-A levels and CVRF in KTRs was investigated in this study.Methods: Sixty-two KTRs with no prior CVD history participated. Anthropometrical, laboratory (fetuin-A,inflammation markers, antioxidants, lipid peroxidation products) and cardiological (echocardiographic, pulsewave velocity) measurements were performed. Participants were divided into two groups according to normal(≥ 0.5 g/L, n = 32, NFA) and low ( 0.05). The ratios of drug usage such as immunosuppressives,anti-hypertensives and statin were comparable between two groups. Parathormone levels were significantlyhigher in the NFA group (p = 0.015) and glomerular filtration rate was calculated significantly higher in LFAgroup (p = 007). The comparison of other CVRF reveals no significant difference (p > 0.05).Conclusions: Although many CVRF improved in KTRs, subclinical inflammation markers were still higherthan the healthy population. Identification and early recognition of CVRF in high-risk individuals maycontribute to the reduction of cardiovascular mortality. In our study, we observed no significant relationshipbetween fetuin-A levels and CVRFs. We evaluated the relationship between serum fetuin-A levels oncardiovascular risk factors by its role in pathophysiology.