SERUM LEVELS OF FETUIN-A AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH INTACT PARATHYROID HORMONE AND 25OH VITAMIN D IN HEMODIALYSIS PATIENTS

Fetuin-A is a circulating protein and a powerful circulating inhibitor of vascular calcification. It has been shown that Fetuin–A interactions with vascular vitamin D receptors may be an important key in preventing renal calcification. The aim of the present study was evaluating the levels of vitamin D (Vit D), intact Parathormone hormone(iPTH) and their relationship with that of Fetuin-A as the main factor involved in vascular calcification in patients suffering from heart diseases (HD). The serum levels of iPTH, Fetuin-A, 25OH vitamin D, calcium, and phosphorus were determined in forty six hemodialysis (28 men and 18 women) and fort three age and sex matched control subjects (20 men and 23 women) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and spectrophotometric methods. In HD patients Fetuin-A and Vit D levels were significantly lower than the healthy controls (p = 0.004 and p=0.002 respectively). Serum iPTH and phosphorus concentrations were higher in HD patients compared to the healthy control group (p<0.001 both of them). Women hemodialysis patients were detected to have significantly lower Vit D and higher serum iPTH levels in comparison with HD men (p<0.05 all the cases). Our findings suggest a lower levels of Fetuin-A, vitamin D and higher levels of iPTH may increase susptibility of atherosclerosis in patients with HD.