Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Turkish Journal of Biochemistry, cilt.49, sa.2, ss.274-282, 2024 (SCI-Expanded)
Objectives: The cardiovascular mortality risk is greatly increased in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), especially in dialysis patients, due to atherosclerosis. Platelet activating factor acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH) is an enzyme that hydrolyzes platelet activating factor (PAF). Valvular calcifications and PAF-AH are associated with atherosclerosis. However, little is known about the status of PAF-AH activity and valvular calcification in dialysis patients. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the status of these parameters in CKD patients. Methods: This study included 92 chronic renal failure (CRF) (dialysis group), and 86 CKD patients (non-dialysis group). Echocardiography was performed to assess valvular calcification. Results: There was no significant difference between the dialysis and CKD groups in terms of PAF-AH activities. However, when comparisons were stratified according to the presence of valve calcification, higher PAF-AH activity and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels were evident in patients with calcification compared to those without. Additionally, the CRF group also exhibited elevated PAF-AH and NT-proBNP levels. While elevated NT-proBNP persisted in the CKD group, in contrast, changes in PAF-AH were not significant. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that high PAF-AH and NT-proBNP levels are associated with valvular calcification in dialysis patients. Both biomarkers may be used as a risk factor for calcification. Furthermore, inhibition of PAF-AH activity may be a treatment target to reduce calcification.