title: A preliminary study of the potential role of FGF-23 in coronary calcification in patients with suspected coronary artery disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The association of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23) with vascular disease in patients with preserved renal function is not well understood. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship of serum FGF-23 with coronary calcification in patients without chronic kidney disease and diabetes mellitus (DM).
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was performed in 148 consecutive patients with suspected coronary artery disease who underwent 64-slice computed tomography coronary angiography for diagnosis of coronary artery disease. Patients with eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m(2), proteinuria, or DM were excluded. Associations of coronary calcification (evaluated by Agatston score) were examined with classical risk factors and with inflammatory markers, adipocytokines and FGF-23.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The median creatinine, eGFR and FGF-23 levels were 0.7 mg/dL, 74.6 mL/min/1.73 m(2), and 26 pg/mL respectively. The strongest association was found between age and Agatston score (r = 0.367, p < 0.001) in univariate logistic regression analysis. No atherogenic risk factors, including inflammatory markers and adipocytokine levels, were associated with Agatston score. Among calcium/phosphate metabolism markers, FGF-23 showed a weak but significant correlation with Agatston score (r = 0.169, p = 0.039). In multivariate linear regression analysis, age and FGF-23 (r = 0.188, p = 0.016) were independently associated with the Agatston score.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Serum FGF-23 levels were associated with coronary calcification independently of classical risk factors and of adipocytokines and inflammatory markers in patients with preserved renal function. FGF-23 may also have a direct effect on progression of coronary calcification and further studies are required to examine this issue.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, TOHO University Ohashi Medical Center, Japan.
authors.forename: Hirofumi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Masai
authors.forename: Nobuhiko
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Joki
authors.forename: Kaoru
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sugi
authors.forename: Masao
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moroi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000209:etiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D000089703:Fibroblast Growth Factor-23; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D061205:Vascular Calcification / Q000209:etiology*
chemical_list: C000717427:FGF23 protein, human; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors; D000089703:Fibroblast Growth Factor-23