The relationship between GLA matrix or mGLA protein level with intima media layer thickness of carotid artery and ankle brachial index in dialysis patients

Abstract

MGP is present in several tissues such as bone, heart, kidney and lung. Together with osteocalcin, MGP exerts its function in the organization of bone tissue, and its production is increased by vitamin D. In particular, MGP effectively inhibits vascular calcification by its ability to bind crystals and inhibit bone morphogenic protein. The aim of this study is to evaluation of the relationship between GLA matrix or mGLA protein level with intima media layer thickness of carotid artery and ankle brachial index in dialysis patients. Materials and Methods: This research was a descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study and the target population included dialysis patients who referred to the dialysis department of Imam Reza Hospital of Tabriz in 2023. The sample size was 62 people. The sampling method of this project was randomly using a table of random numbers from the number of clients in the list in the admission department. In this plan, the intima media layer thickness of carotid artery in dialysis patients was measured by a clinical radiologist; Then blood pressure was measured in the arm and wrist area of these patients and the ankle brachial index was calculated by calculating the ratio of blood pressure of the wrist to the blood pressure of the arm. In the next step, according to the obtained values of the thickness of the intima media layer thickness of carotid artery and ankle brachial index, the condition of the patient's atherosclerosis was evaluated. The GLA protein or mGLA level of these patients was evaluated by investigating the blood test taken by the kit. Finally, the relationship between the level of GLA protein or mGLA with the intima media layer thickness of carotid artery and ankle brachial index was investigated in dialysis patients. Results: In this study, the mean (standard deviation) of mGLA in the studied patients was 0.50 (±0.2). Also, the mean (SD) of ankle and arm blood pressure in these patients was 140.15 (±33.3) and 121.82 (±26.5), respectively. The mean (SD) of the ankle brachial index and the intima media layer thickness of carotid artery in the studied patients were 1.15 (±0.2) and 0.81 (±0.1), respectively. In this study, no statistically significant relationship was observed between the mGLA level and any of the variables of the intima media layer thickness of carotid artery and ankle brachial index in the studied patients (P>0.05).