The assessment of serum levels of dp-uc MGP as a vascular calcification marker among kidney transplant recipients and its association with allograft function

Abstract

Regarding the important role of matrix gamma carboxyglutamate protein (MGP) in the vascular calcification and maybe micro-vascular properties of kidney, the current study designed to investigate circulating level of dp-uc MGP as a marker of vitamin K status in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) and also its relationship with the allograft function. Materials and Methods: During this cross-sectional study 90 eligible kidney transplant recipients were evaluated in post-transplant phase (about 6-12 months after the KT). Fasting Blood samples were taken to determine serum levels of dp-uc MGP, urea, creatinine and some other biochemical characteristics of participants. Results: Serum level of dp-uc MGP in our participants was 2.40 (1.60-3.20) µg/L. According to our findings, serum dp-uc MGP did not have any statistically significant association with serum urea, creatinine, eGFR–EPI and eGFR–MDRD (r< 0.2; p>0.05).