Renalase in children with chronic kidney disease

Abstract

Background: Renalase is kidney-derived molecule initially considered as catecholamine-inactivating enzyme. However, recent studies suggest that renalase exerts potent cardio- and nephroprotective actions, not related to its enzymatic activity.

Purpose: To assess renalase level in children with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Material and methods: Serum renalase, BMI, arterial stiffness, peripheral and central blood pressure, intima-media thickness (IMT), medications, and biochemical parameters were analyzed in 38 children with CKD (12.23 ± 4.19 years) (stage G2-5). Control group consisted of 38 healthy children.

Results: In the study group, GFR was 25.74 ± 8.94 mL/min/1.73 m²; 6 children were dialyzed; 26 had arterial hypertension. Renalase level was higher in the study group compared to control group (p < 0.001). In CKD children renalase correlated (p < 0.05) with BMI Z-score (r = –0.36), alfacalcidol dose (r = 0.41), GFR (r = –0.69), hemoglobin (r = –0.48), total cholesterol (r = 0.35), LDL-cholesterol (r = 0.36), triglycerides (r = 0.52), phosphate (r = 0.35), calcium-phosphorus product (r = 0.35), parathormone (r = 0.58), and pulse wave velocity Z-score (r = 0.42). In multivariate analysis GFR (β = –0.63, p < 0.001), triglycerides (β = 0.59, p = 0.002), and alfacalcidol dose (β = –0.49, p = 0.010) were determinants of renalase.

Conclusions: In children with CKD there is a strong correlation between renalase level and CKD stage. Furthermore, in these patients renalase does not correlate with blood pressure but may be a marker of arterial stiffness.

Keywords:

• Adolescents
• arterial stiffness
• blood pressure
• children
• chronic kidney disease
• renalase

Disclosure statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest regarding the study.

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of the study are available from the corresponding author, PS, upon request.