title: High levels of mannose-binding lectin are associated with lower pulse wave velocity in uraemic patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Uraemia is associated with a highly increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) has been shown to be involved in cardiovascular pathophysiology and a protective effect of MBL is suggested. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate a potential impact of MBL on vascular parameters in uraemic patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cohort of 98 patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) awaiting kidney transplantation had pulse wave velocity (PWV) and augmentation index (AIX) examined by tonometry and endothelial dependent flow-mediated (FMD) and endothelial independent nitroglycerin-induced (NID) dilatory capacities of the brachial artery measured by ultrasound. An oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed and serum levels of MBL were measured using Luminex xMAP bead array technology.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The cohort was divided in two groups according to MBL-concentration below or above the median concentration. These groups were comparable regarding age, BMI, and duration of ESRD. PWV was significantly lower in the group with high MBL levels compared to the group with low MBL levels and trends toward better AIX and higher insulin sensitivity (ISI) was also seen in the group with high MBL levels. No difference was seen in FMD and NID.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  High levels of MBL are associated with lower PWV and the use of antihypertensive drugs in a cohort of patients with ESRD awaiting kidney transplantation suggesting a beneficial role of high levels of MBL on arterial stiffness in uraemia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark. mads.hornum@regionh.dk.
authors.forename: Mads
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hornum
authors.forename: Jakob T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Bay
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Clausen
authors.forename: Jesper
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Melchior Hansen
authors.forename: Elisabeth R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Mathiesen
authors.forename: Bo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Feldt-Rasmussen
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Garred
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D037241:Mannose-Binding Lectins / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics; D008875:Middle Aged; D063177:Pulse Wave Analysis; D014511:Uremia / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology; D059289:Vascular Stiffness
chemical_list: D037241:Mannose-Binding Lectins