title: Placental growth factor in patients with decreased renal function.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Patients with decreased renal function are characterized by high cardiovascular morbidity and mortality due to complications of premature atherosclerosis. Placental growth factor (PlGF) is a proatherogenic cytokine and new biomarker of cardiovascular events. The aim of this study was to determine PlGF levels and describe their relationship to renal function and risk factors of atherogenesis in patients with decreased renal function.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study group consisted of 114 subjects: 45 patients with various degrees of decreased renal function (CHRI), 31 long-term hemodialysis (HD) patients, and 38 age-matched healthy control subjects. PlGF was assessed immunochemically (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) and routine biochemical parameters were measured using standard laboratory methods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  PlGF levels were significantly increased in CHRI and HD patients compared to controls (10.5 ± 3.3 pg/mL in CHRI patients and 11.5 ± 3.4 pg/mL HD patients vs. 8.1 ± 1.8 pg/mL in controls, both p < 0.0001). In CHRI patients, PlGF was detectable in the urine, and its urine concentration correlated with its serum levels. In HD patients, PlGF correlated with low-density lipoproteins (r = 0.36, p < 0.05), but was not related to C-reactive protein levels. Higher levels of PlGF were found in CHRI patients with cardiovascular disease, compared with those free of such complication.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PlGF levels are increased in patients with decreased kidney function. PlGF is detectable in the urine, and serum and urine levels of PlGF are significantly interrelated. It is higher in CHRI patients with cardiovascular disease. Further studies are required to demonstrate the usefulness and significance of PlGF in patients with chronic kidney disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague and General University Hospital in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Oskar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Zakiyanov
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kalousová
authors.forename: Tomáš
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Zima
authors.forename: Vladimír
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Tesař
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D050171:Dyslipidemias / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000072483:Placenta Growth Factor; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins / Q000097:blood* / Q000652:urine; D051436:Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D008055:Lipids; C000608036:PGF protein, human; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins; D000072483:Placenta Growth Factor; D002097:C-Reactive Protein