Fetuin-A and arterial stiffness in patients with normal kidney function.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the association between fetuin-A level (AHSG), its encoding gene (Thr256Ser) and arterial function in subjects with normal kidney function.


BACKGROUND
The aortic pulse wave velocity (aPWV) is a predictor for cardiovascular mortality. Fetuin-A is a calcification inhibitor and correlates negatively with increased vascular stiffness in dialysis patients. The fetuin-A polymorphism (Thr256Ser) is associated with reduced fetuin levels and accelerated vascular calcification in dialysis patients. Little is known about the role of fetuin-A as an independent predictor for the development of arterial stiffness in healthy subjects.


METHODS
We studied 116 subjects with normal kidney function (age 47+/-12 years, 50 females and 66 males) of the FLEMENGHO study. Calcium measurements, plasma fetuin-A, its encoding gene (Thr256Ser) and indexes of arterial stiffness, such as aPWV and arterial distensibility, were determined.


RESULTS
Fetuin-A levels were negatively correlated with aPWV (r=-0.21, p=0.029). After an adjustment for multiple covariables, fetuin-A levels were independently associated with aPWV (r=-0.30, p=0.022) in males but not in females. Male fetuin-A SerSer carrier had lower fetuin-A levels and higher aPWV (fetuin-A: 61.9+/-29.0 microg/ml; aPWV: 14.3+/-0.9 m/s) as compared to ThrThr (fetuin-A: 109.9+/-54.9 microg/ml; aPWV: 6.4+/-1.3 m/s) and ThrSer carrier (fetuin-A: 100.8+/-52.5 microg/ml; aPWV: 6.6+/-1.3 m/s). Other calcium variables were not significantly associated with arterial stiffness.


CONCLUSIONS
With respect to common calcium variables, only fetuin-A level showed an inverse relation with aPWV in men with normal renal function. Male fetuin-A SerSer carriers demonstrate particularly high aortic stiffness, possibly implying a status of increased cardiovascular risk.
Roos
Marcel
M
Department of Nephrology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany. marphiro@hotmail.com
Richart
Tom
T
Kouznetsova
Tatiana
T
von Eynatten
Maximilian
M
Lutz
Jens
J
Heemann
Uwe
U
Baumann
Marcus
M
Staessen
Jan A
JA
D000328:Adult; D000483:Alleles; D001011:Aorta / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001530:Belgium; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D017536:Carotid Artery, Common / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D006579:Heterozygote; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D011673:Pulsatile Flow; D012737:Sex Factors; D014655:Vascular Resistance; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins; D003404:Creatinine