Abstract
End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is accompanied by an increased rate of morbidity and mortality due to cardiovascular disease (CVD). Although renal replacement therapy is required at this stage, it is associated with additional complications such as inflammation and dyslipidemia. It has been suggested that adiponectin has anti-inflammatory properties. We studied the potential role of uremic mileu on the adiponectin expression in human primary adipocyte culture. A cohort of 18 patients with ESRD (hemo- and peritoneal dialysis) and nine healthy controls were analyzed in a prospective cross-sectional study. Single blood samples were taken pre- and post-hemodialysis and in peritoneal dialysis patients. Serum concentrations of total adiponectin (7.95 +/- 1.44 mu g/mL; 6.73 +/- 1.2 mu g/mL; 13.7 +/- 3.04 mu g/mL, respectively) and high molecular weight adiponectin (3.03 +/- 1.95 mu g/mL; 3.57 +/- 2.44 14 mu g/mL; 8.02 +/- 5 mu g/mL respectively) were measured. Other biochemical parameters (cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides) were assessed in all groups of patients. Adiponectin gene expression was determined using real-time polymerase chain reaction, and was found to be lower in ESRD patients compared with healthy controls with low dose but not with high-dose treatments. Serum concentrations of total adiponectin and high molecular weight adiponectin were significantly higher in the ESRD versus control group. These results provide an initial insight into understanding the putative role of adipose tissue in contributing to the association of CVD risk in patients with chronic kidney disease.