Are advanced glycation end products cardiovascular risk factors in patients with CRF?

Abstract

Background: Chronic renal failure (CRF) is characterized by enhanced formation and accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which are involved in the pathogenesis of vascular damage. Their role as risk factors for cardiovascular complications is still unknown. This study aims to investigate whether elevated serum levels of the AGEs pentosidine, Nϵ-carboxymethyllysine (CML), and the 3-deoxyglucosone-derived imidazolone involve a greater risk for cardiovascular events (CVEs) and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). Methods: Patients with CRF (n = 99), on maintenance hemodialysis (HD) therapy (n = 84), and renal transplant recipients (RTRs; n = 50) were included. Pentosidine was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography, and CML and imidazolone, by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Statistical analyses were performed using Mann-Whitney U test, logistic regression analysis, and Cox proportional hazards model. Results: At baseline in all investigated groups, patients with a history of CVEs or LVH showed greater mean serum AGE levels. By retrospective data analysis, significant odds ratios for increases in CML and imidazolone levels were calculated for LVH in HD patients, as well as for increases in CML levels for CVEs in RTRs, respectively. By prospective data analysis, serum AGE levels could not be evaluated as independent risk factors for CVEs in all investigated groups. Conclusion: From these preliminary results, serum AGE levels could not be identified as independent risk factors for CVEs or LVH in patients with CRF. Prospective studies are needed to answer this question. Am J Kidney Dis 41(S1):S52-S56. © 2003 by the National Kidney Foundation, Inc.