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).
Materials & Methods: 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.
Results: 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).
Conclusions: 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