Background: Arteriosclerosis obliterans (ASO) in hemodialysis patients is the dominant cause of morbidity evolving from arteriosclerosis. Adiponectin is an adipose-derived cytokine which, because of its modulation of endothelial adhesion molecules, has potential anti-inflammatory and anti-atherogenic properties. However, the implications of adiponectin and endothelial function in ASO of hemodialysis patients has not been fully elucidated.
Methods: In this study we measured serum levels of adiponectin, adhesion molecules (VCAM-1 and ICAM-1), and an endothelial cell injury marker (CD146) in patients with ASO. We sought to determine clinical and laboratory correlates of ASO in ESRD patients. A total of 80 hemodialysis patients and 82 patients with normal serum creatinine levels were enrolled. Serum levels of adiponectin, ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and CD146 were measured by ELISA.
Results: Serum adiponectin levels in 41 hemodialysis patients with ASO were significantly lower than in 39 patients without ASO. Serum CD146 levels in hemodialysis patients with ASO were significantly higher than in patients without ASO. There were no significant differences between levels of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in these two groups. Similar results were obtained for patients with normal renal function. Serum adiponectin was related to hemodialysis duration and BMI in hemodialysis patients. In patients with normal renal function, adiponectin was related to HDL-cholesterol, triglyceride, and ICAM-1.
Conclusion: A decrease in serum adiponectin levels and an increase in serum CD146 may be closely associated with the development of ASO, regardless of renal function. However, there are different mechanisms determining serum adiponectin levels in patients with normal kidney function and in hemodialysis patients.