Stromal Cell‑derived Factor‑1 and CXC Chemokine Receptor Type‑4 are Associated with Cardiovascular Disease in Patients under Hemodialysis

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the most common cause of death among patients with end‑stage renal disease especially whom under hemodialysis (HD). Stromal cell‑derived factor‑1 (SDF‑1) and its receptor CXC chemokine receptor type‑4 (CXCR4) could contribute to CVD. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the association between SDF‑1 and CXCR4 with CVD and its related risk factors in patients under HD.

Sixty patients under HD and 29 healthy subjects were recruited in the study. The serum levels and relative messenger RNA (mRNA) expressions of SDF‑1 and CXCR4 were measured using enzyme‑linked immunosorbent assay and real‑time polymerase chain reaction in patients and controls, respectively. CVD history of the patients was obtained.

Twenty patients (33.3%) had a history of CVD. The mean levels of serum and relative mRNA expressions of SDF‑1 and CXCR4 were higher in patients than controls and also in patients with a history of CVD than patients without it. The serum levels and relative expressions of SDF‑1 and CXCR4 were positively correlated with blood urea nitrogen, parathyroid hormone, and high‑sensitivity C‑reactive protein and inversely correlated with hemoglobin. The history of CVD was the independent predictor of serum levels of SDF‑1 and CXCR4 and also relative mRNA expression of CXCR4.

The higher levels of serum and relative mRNA expressions of SDF‑1 and CXCR4 were associated with CVD in patients under HD. Furthermore, SDF‑1 and CXCR4 were associated with several traditional and uremia-related CVD risk factors in such patients.