Gender-related determinants of advanced subclinical atherosclerosis in patients undergoing kidney transplantation.
BACKGROUND
Cardiovascular disease caused by atherosclerosis remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). We evaluated the potential association of cardiovascular risk factors including asymmetric dimethyl L-arginine (ADMA) and the soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products (sRAGE) with preclinical atherosclerosis in patients undergoing kidney transplantation.


METHODS
In 92 males and 47 females undergoing the first cadaveric renal transplantation, ADMA, sRAGE and common risk factors including lipid parameters were evaluated as potential predictors of preclinical atherosclerosis defined as the Belcaro score (focused on advanced atherosclerotic changes) measured by ultrasound.


RESULTS
The prevalence of atherosclerotic changes was approximately 70% in men and women. In logistic regression, age, history of smoking, presence of diabetes mellitus, and plasma triglycerides were the strongest independent predictors for advanced atherosclerosis in the whole group. In unadjusted analyses advanced atherosclerosis was also associated with sRAGE in men and with the atherogenic index of plasma in women.


CONCLUSIONS
Apart from traditional cardiovascular risk factors, plasma triglycerides were found to be strong and independent predictors of advanced atherosclerosis in patients with ESRD. In addition, sRAGE was associated with atherosclerosis in men and the atherogenic index of plasma in women.
Pitha
Jan
J
Laboratory of Atherosclerosis Research, Department of Experimental Medicine, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic.
Teplan
Vladimír
V
Kalousova
Marta
M
Racek
Jaroslav
J
Stollova
Milena
M
Marečková
Olga
O
Lanska
Vera
V
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000639:trends*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000067759:Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000097:blood; D012307:Risk Factors; D012727:Sex Characteristics
D000067759:Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic