Background: Among hemodialysis patients, left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is a prevalent cardiac abnormality. The uremic toxin indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) is elevated in uremia patients, but the connection between IAA and LVH in individuals undergoing hemodialysis remains uncertain. Hence, the objective of this research was to examine the correlation between blood IAA levels and LVH in individuals undergoing hemodialysis.
Materials and methods: In total, 205 individuals undergoing hemodialysis were chosen and categorized into two groups, with (143 patients) and without LVH (62 patients). Patient clinical data were collected, and serum creatinine, calcium, phosphorus, hemoglobin, and IAA levels were measured.
Results: Compared to the non-LVH group, the LVH group had higher IAA and serum phosphorus but lower hemoglobin. The serum IAA concentration was positively correlated with both left ventricular mass (LVM) and left ventricular mass index (LVMI) but negatively correlated with both left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and the ratio of left ventricular transmitral early peak flow velocity to left ventricular transmitral late peak flow velocity (E/A). Logistic regression analysis indicated that increased IAA levels are a risk factor for LVH and are not influenced by other factors. In addition, we exposed primary neonatal cultured mouse cardiomyocytes to varying concentrations of IAA in a controlled environment. Cardiomyocyte hypertrophy was induced by IAA in a concentration-dependent manner.
Conclusion: Serum IAA is correlated with alterations in both the function and structure of the left ventricle. The serum IAA concentration is an independent risk factor for LVH. IAA may be a novel biomarker of LVH in hemodialysis patients.