Evaluation of apelin 36 level and endothelial function in children with chronic kidney disease

Abstract EN

Background: The life expectancy of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is markedly reduced due to premature cardiovascular death.

Endothelial dysfunction (ED) is closely linked to cardiovascular disease and subsequent morbidity and mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Also (CKD) in children affects their physical development as well as premature death that result from heart disease.

Apelin is an adipocytokine that recently generated much interest; however, its role in (CKD) remains to be clarified.

Aim: Assessment of Apelin level and its correlation with markers of ED (V CAM-1), lipid profile and growth parameters in a sample of Egyptian children with chronic kidney disease.

Methodology: The present study was carried out in the pediatric hospital of Abou El Reash, Cairo University and the National Research Center (NRC), during the period between March 2011 to March 2013.

The study included 66 clinically stable (CKD) patients and 20 healthy volunteers of the same age and sex.

Serum levels of Apelin 36 and lipid profile; (high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL), cholesterol, triglycrides) were measured.

Endothelial function was evaluated by measuring vascular cell adhesion molecule (V cam-1) in serum.

Results: (V CAM-1) levels were significantly elevated in children with (CKD) as compared to controls.

No change in Apelin level between patients and controls.

Apelin was correlated positively with high density lipoprotein.

(V CAM-1) level was positively correlated to triglycride, weight and height for age percentiles, and no correlation was found between apelin and (V CAM-1).

Conclusions: Serum Vcam-1 level was significantly higher in patients than controls and correlated positively with serum triglyceride level, also where highest in subjects having weight and height at or below the third percentile for age.

There was no change in the level of Apelin between patients and controls and Apelin was positively correlated with (HDL) level and no significant correlations was found between Apelin and (V CAM-1) level.

Independent from classical cardiovascular risk factors.

Height and weight were found to be inversely associated with endothelial dysfunction in children with (CKD).