Endothelial dysfunction in children with chronic kidney disease

Nefrologia (Engl Ed). 2021 Jul-Aug;41(4):436-445. doi: 10.1016/j.nefroe.2020.10.002. Epub 2021 Oct 2.

Abstract

Background and objective: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the main cause of death in children with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Inflammation and endothelial dysfunction (ED) are found in the majority of these patients and are factors associated to CVD. Flow mediated dilatation (FMD) is a surrogate marker validated for evaluating ED. Our objective was to identify risk factors associated to ED in children with CKD.

Materials and methods: Children 2-16 years of age were studied. Clinical information and biochemical variables were gathered, including intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), interleukins 6 and 1b, high sensitivity C reactive protein (hsCRP), reduced glutathione, nitric oxide, malondialdehyde and homocysteine. FMD was measured, and considered altered if <7%.

Results: Included were 129 patients aged 13.1 ± 2.6 years. FMD < 7% was found in 69 (52.7%). Patients with altered FMD had higher levels of triglycerides and hsCRP than those with normal FMD (145.5 mg/dl vs. 120.0 mg/dl, P = .042, y 1.24 U/L vs. 0.55 U/L, P = .007, respectively), as well as higher frequency of low iPTH (19.1% vs. 4.9%, P = .036). Levels of hsCRP correlated significantly with FMD (Rho = -0.28, P = .003). Patients with low iPTH (OR = 4.41, 95%CI 1.13-17.27, P = .033) and increased hsCRP (OR = 2.89, 95%CI 1.16-7.17, P = .022) had higher adjusted risk of having FMD < 7%.

Conclusions: Hypertriglyceridemia, inflammation and low iPTH associated significantly with altered FMD. They are frequent, treatable risk factors for CVD.

Keywords: Cardiovascular disease; Chronic kidney disease; Dilatación mediada por flujo; Disfunción endotelial; Endothelial dysfunction; Enfermedad cardiovascular; Enfermedad renal crónica; Flow mediated dilatation.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Biomarkers
  • C-Reactive Protein / analysis
  • Cardiovascular Diseases* / etiology
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Endothelium, Vascular
  • Glutathione
  • Homocysteine
  • Humans
  • Inflammation
  • Interleukins
  • Malondialdehyde
  • Nitric Oxide
  • Parathyroid Hormone
  • Renal Insufficiency, Chronic* / complications
  • Triglycerides

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Interleukins
  • Parathyroid Hormone
  • Triglycerides
  • Homocysteine
  • Nitric Oxide
  • Malondialdehyde
  • C-Reactive Protein
  • Glutathione