Relation between plasma fibroblast growth factor-23, serum fetuin-A levels and coronary artery calcification evaluated by multislice computed tomography in patients with normal kidney function.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the correlation of plasma fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-23 and serum fetuin A levels with the coronary artery calcification score (CACS) in patients with normal kidney function.


BACKGROUND
Vascular calcification is an active process that may be aggravated by hyperphosphataemia and hypercalcaemia. FGF-23 and human fetuin-A have been associated with calcifying arteriosclerosis in renal failure. Plasma FGF-23 was identified as an independent factor negatively associated with peripheral vascular calcification. Fetuin-A acts as a systemic inhibitor of ectopic calcification in dialysis patients and can be correlated to the survival of these patients. Very few data exists on the role of FGF-23 and fetuin-A in coronary calcification of patients without impaired kidney function.


METHODS
Sixty-four patients, 21 females and 43 males, were subjected to 64-slice coronary computed tomography (CT) to evaluate coronary artery calcification (CAC). Plasma intact FGF-23 was determined by ELISA. Serum fetuin-A concentration were evaluated nephelometrically.


RESULTS
Mean plasma FGF-23 level was 20.4 +/- 9.1 pg/ml and serum fetuin-A was 0.46 +/- 0.09 g/l. There was no correlation between FGF-23 (P = 0.777) and fetuin-A (P = 0.767) levels and the CACS. No correlation was found between the presence of noncalcified plaques and coronary artery stenosis (CAS) >or= 50%, and FGF-23 (P = 0.313 and P = 0.775) and fetuin-A levels (P = 0.601 and P = 0.659).


CONCLUSIONS
Plasma intact FGF-23 and serum fetuin-A concentration do not correlate with the CACS, the grade of stenosis or presence of noncalcified plaques of the coronary arteries in patients with normal kidney function.
Roos
Marcel
M
Abteilung für Nephrologie, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Munich, Germany. marphiro@hotmail.com
Lutz
Jens
J
Salmhofer
Hermann
H
Luppa
Peter
P
Knauss
Amelie
A
Braun
Siegmund
S
Martinof
Stefan
S
Schömig
Albert
A
Heemann
Uwe
U
Kastrati
Adnan
A
Hausleiter
Jörg
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000097:blood* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000097:blood* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D000089703:Fibroblast Growth Factor-23; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D060749:alpha-2-HS-Glycoprotein
C556354:AHSG protein, human; D001798:Blood Proteins; C000717427:FGF23 protein, human; D060749:alpha-2-HS-Glycoprotein; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors; D000089703:Fibroblast Growth Factor-23