Effects of Interdialytic Weight Gain and Salt Intake on Serum Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-C (VEGF-C) Levels in Hemodialysis Patients

Objective: Sodium may accumulate in subcutaneous tissue without any osmotic (non-osmotic) effect. There are insufficient data on non-osmotic sodium mechanisms in hemodialysis patients. We aimed to investigate the relationship between serum vascular endothelial growth factor-C levels, interdialytic weight gain, and salt intake in hemodialysis patients.

Methods: The study included 20 anuric hemodialysis patients (11/9; female/male) with stable interdialytic weight gain in the last 3 months. Pre- and post-dialysis sodium and vascular endothelial growth factor-C levels were studied in 2 consecutive hemodialysis sessions. Fluid body components were determined by body composition monitor. The formulas derived from serum sodium and body fluids were used to calculate the interdialytic salt intake. The determinants of serum vascular endothelial growth factor-C levels were analyzed.

Results: Salt intake in the interdialytic period was 10.36 ± 5.16 g/day and interdialytic weight gain 3.4% (0.53-6.98). While no correlation was found between salt intake and vascular endothelial growth factor-C levels in the correlation analysis, a moderate correlation was found between interdialytic weight gain and pre-and post-dialysis vascular endothelial growth factor-C levels (r: 0.453; P = .045 and r: 0.454; P = .044, respectively). In the partial correlation analysis performed by controlling the salt intake effect, an increase in this correlation was detected (r: 0.489; P = .34 and r: .525; P = .018, respectively). There was no relationship between age, gender, hemodialysis vintage, and vascular endothelial growth factor-C levels.

Conclusion: A moderate correlation was detected between interdialytic weight gain and serum vascular endothelial growth factor-C levels and it may be a clinical reflection of long-term volume and salt loading. However, more extensive studies are needed to clarify this relationship and determine the factors affecting serum vascular endothelial growth factorC levels in hemodialysis patients

Cite this article as: Türkmen E, Altındal M, Yıldırım T, et al. Effects of interdialytic weight gain and salt intake on serum vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) levels in hemodialysis patients. Turk J Nephrol. 2022;31(2):171-176.