Adiponectin is an independent predictor of tissue plasminogen activator levels in patients under haemodialysis

Abstract

Objective. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) levels with clinical data of patients under haemodialysis (HD) and with several variables potentially related to endothelial function and dysfunction. Material and methods. In a cross-sectional study involving 189 Portuguese HD patients, circulating levels of t-PA, lipids, oxidized low-density lipoprotein (Ox-LDL), interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), adiponectin, plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) and fibrin fragment D-dimer were measured. Results. Considering the entire population, t-PA correlated inversely and significantly with adiponectin and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and positively and significantly with age, body mass index, PAI-1, IL-6, CRP, D-dimer, cholesterol and Ox-LDL. In multiple linear regression analysis PAI-1, age and adiponectin remained statistically associated with t-PA values (p < 0.01 for all). The weakest significant association (p = 0.046) was that found between t-PA and D-dimer. Conclusion. Adiponectin is a main determinant of t-PA level, which may be a good marker of endothelial dysfunction in HD patients.

Key Words::

• adiponectin
• haemodialysis
• inflammation
• tissue plasminogen activator

Acknowledgements

We are very grateful to FMC, Dinefro-Diálises e Nefrologia, SA, and Uninefro-Sociedade Prestadora de Cuidados Médicos e de Diálise, SA, and to their nurses for their technical support. This study was supported by “Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia” (FCT: PIC/IC/83221/2007) and co-financed by FEDER (FCOMP-01-0124-FEDER-008468).

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.