Serum Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor-? B Ligand, Osteoprotegrin, and Intact Parathyroid Hormone in Hemodialysis and Renal Transplant Patients

Abstract

Serum receptor activator of nuclear factor-? B ligand and osteoprotegrin are mediated to vascular calcification in the general population. Our knowledge is very sparse in hemodialysis and renal transplant patients. Receptor activator of nuclear factor-? B ligand, osteoprotegrin, intact parathyroid hormone, calcium, and phosphorus were measured in blood samples of 45 hemodialysis and 45 age-matched renal transplant patients. Osteoprotegrin (P=0.001) and intact parathyroid hormone (P=0.001) levels in the hemodialysis patients were higher than the renal transplant recipients. Osteoprotegrin had positive correlation with duration of dialysis and age in the hemodialysis (r=0.88, P=0.001 and r=0.34, P=0.02, respectively) and renal transplant patients (r=0.92, P=0.001 and r=0.46, P=0.001, respectively). Hemodialysis patients have higher osteoprotegrin levels than the renal transplant recipients. It may act as a protective factor for renal osteodystrophy or only as a secondary phenomenon of advanced renal failure. © 2012 International Society for Apheresis.