Published in:
01-01-2015 | Nephrology - Original Paper
Peritoneal microvascular endothelial function and the microinflammatory state are associated with baseline peritoneal transport characteristics in uremic patients
Published in: International Urology and Nephrology | Issue 1/2015
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Purpose
To investigate microvessel density (MVD), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) mRNA expression in peritoneal tissues, and their relationships with baseline peritoneal transport in uremia.
Methods
Thirty uremic patients with a peritoneal dialysis catheter were selected in the Department of Nephrology in Dalian Central Hospital, Liaoning, China between 2010 and 2012. Peritoneal specimens were harvested for assessment of MVD, VEGF, eNOS, and IL-6 mRNA expression. One month after continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis, a peritoneal equilibration test was conducted. According to the 4-h peritoneal dialysate and plasma creatinine ratio (D/P Cr), patients were divided into high (n = 16) and low (n = 14) transport groups.
Results
General clinical data of high and low transport groups were similar (P > 0.05). The MVD in peritoneal tissues was significantly higher in the high than in the low transport group (P < 0.05). Correspondingly, VEGF (P < 0.01), eNOS (P < 0.01), and IL-6 (P < 0.05) mRNA expression levels were significantly higher in the high as compared the low transport groups. Correlation analysis showed that the baseline D/P Cr was positively correlated with MVD and VEGF, eNOS, and IL-6 mRNA expression levels in the peritoneum (r = 0.506, 0.646, 0.638, and 0.686, respectively; P < 0.01).
Conclusions
Uremic patients display differences in peritoneal microvascular endothelial function and microinflammatory states before peritoneal dialysis. Patients of the high transport group have higher MVD, increased expression of endothelial function markers (VEGF and eNOS), and the microinflammatory marker (IL-6). These observations are closely related to high baseline peritoneal transport.