The Metabolic Hormone FGF21 is Associated with Endothelial Dysfunction in Hemodialysis Patients

Overview

Journal Int Urol Nephrol

Publisher Springer

Specialty Nephrology

Date 2016 Dec 13

PMID 27943169

Citations 6

Authors

Crina Claudia Rusu

Simona Racasan

Ina Maria Kacso

Diana Moldovan

Alina Potra

Dacian Tirinescu

Cristian Budurea

Remus Orasan

Ioan Mihai Patiu

Cosmina Ioana Bondor

Dan Vladutiu

Mirela Gherman Caprioara

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Purpose: Finding new, reliable biomarkers of cardiovascular risk in hemodialysis (HD) patients is of utmost importance. Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) has been recently associated with atherosclerosis in the general population. The relationship between markedly elevated FGF21 levels in HD patients and endothelial dysfunction is unknown. The aim of the study was to assess the determinants of FGF21, the correlation between FGF21 and tumor necrosis factor TNF-like weak inducer of apoptosis (sTWEAK) and the correlation between FGF21 and endothelial dysfunction in HD patients.

Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted in 70 HD patients (mean age 59.9 ± 12.5 years, 14.3% diabetes mellitus, 57.1% male) from Nefromed Dialysis Center Cluj. We registered clinical and biological data, and serum FGF21 levels were measured by ELISA. Endothelial function was evaluated by brachial flow-mediated dilation (FMD). An analysis based on stratification of FGF21 values into quartiles was performed.

Results: FGF21 levels were directly correlated with sTWEAK, tricipital skinfold thickness (TST), systolic blood pressure (SBP), total cholesterol and triglycerides. In multivariate linear analysis, only sTWEAK and SBP remained significantly associated with FGF21. FGF21 values in the inferior quartile were directly correlated with HDL-cholesterol, while FGF21 values in the superior quartile were directly correlated with SBP, pulse pressure and sTWEAK. FMD was significantly higher in the inferior quartile as compared to the superior quartile.

Conclusions: High FGF21 values in our patients are correlated with atherosclerosis risk factors: hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hypertension, increased TST and increased levels of sTWEAK. Endothelial dysfunction is associated with high FGF21 in HD patients.

Citing Articles

Exploring the Associations Between Inflammatory Biomarkers, Survival, and Cardiovascular Events in Hemodialysis Patients and the Interrelationship with Nutritional Parameters-The Experience of a Single Transylvanian Dialysis Center.

Rusu C, Kacso I, Moldovan D, Potra A, Tirinescu D, Ticala M J Clin Med. 2025; 14(4).

PMID: 40004669 PMC: 11855970. DOI: 10.3390/jcm14041139.

The association between fibroblast growth factor 21 with diabetes retinopathy among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients: a systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression.

Basir H, Nugrahani A, Aman A, Bakri S, Rasyid H, Umar H PeerJ. 2024; 12:e18308.

PMID: 39687000 PMC: 11648683. DOI: 10.7717/peerj.18308.

Leptin Is Associated with Testosterone, Nutritional Markers, and Vascular Muscular Dysfunction in Chronic Kidney Disease.

Rusu C, Kacso I, Moldovan D, Potra A, Tirinescu D, Ticala M Int J Mol Sci. 2024; 25(14).

PMID: 39062887 PMC: 11277084. DOI: 10.3390/ijms25147646.

High-Level Serum Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 Concentration Is Closely Associated With an Increased Risk of Cardiovascular Diseases: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Zhang Y, Yan J, Yang N, Qian Z, Nie H, Yang Z Front Cardiovasc Med. 2021; 8:705273.

PMID: 34513950 PMC: 8427036. DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2021.705273.

Advances in Biological Functions and Clinical Studies of FGF21.

Lin W, Zhang T, Zhou Y, Zheng J, Lin Z Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes. 2021; 14:3281-3290.

PMID: 34295169 PMC: 8291585. DOI: 10.2147/DMSO.S317096.

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