Metal deposition in calcific uremic arteriolopathy.
BACKGROUND
Calcific uremic arteriolopathy (CUA) is an often fatal disease that affects patients with end-stage renal disease. Although animal studies support a role for metals in the pathogenesis of CUA, metal accumulation in human tissue has not been previously evaluated.


OBJECTIVE
We sought to evaluate metal deposition in CUA.


METHODS
Twelve histologically proven cases of CUA were identified from our dermatopathology database. Five skin biopsy specimens from patients with chronic kidney disease exposed to gadolinium contrast but without CUA were used as controls. Quantification of metals including iron, aluminum, and gadolinium in the lesional skin was performed using inductively coupled mass spectrometry.


RESULTS
Seven patients had documented exposure to gadolinium-based contrast in the 2 years before CUA. Three of them had concurrent nephrogenic systemic fibrosis. Highly significant quantities of iron (P = .03) and aluminum (P = .0002) were detected in CUA specimens compared with controls. Significant amounts of gadolinium were present in several CUA biopsy specimens.


CONCLUSIONS
Observational, retrospective study design and small sample size are limitations.


CONCLUSIONS
Tissue iron and aluminum content is increased in CUA. A significant amount of gadolinium is also present in some CUA specimens. Based on animal studies that strongly implicate metals in the pathogenesis of CUA, our data suggest that metal deposition should be considered in the pathogenesis of human CUA.
Amuluru
Lavanya
L
Division of Nephrology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 W.Markham St. #501, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA. sswaminathan@uams.edu
High
Whitney
W
Hiatt
Kim M
KM
Ranville
James
J
Shah
Sudhir V
SV
Malik
Bilal
B
Swaminathan
Sundararaman
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000535:Aluminum / Q000378:metabolism*; D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000378:metabolism*; D001160:Arterioles / Q000473:pathology; D002115:Calciphylaxis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000378:metabolism*; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005682:Gadolinium / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000378:metabolism*; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D054989:Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced
D003287:Contrast Media; D005682:Gadolinium; D000535:Aluminum; D007501:Iron