Relationship between Serum Adipocyte Fatty Acid-Binding Protein Levels and Systemic Inflammation in Hemodialysis Patients

Objective: Adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein (A-FABP) is expressed in adipose tissue and macrophages. It regulates cholesterol trafficking and is involved in atherosclerosis formation. A-FABP levels are associated with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in patients with or without chronic kidney disease. In this study, we evaluated A-FABP levels in healthy controls and hemodialysis (HD) patients and compared the results with C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels to determine their relationship with systemic inflammation.

Materials and Methods: The study comprised 23 healthy controls and 70 HD patients, excluding individuals with an active infection, malignancy, anorexia, obesity, and hypo- or hyperthyroidism. Demographic features, laboratory findings, A-FABP levels, and levels of inflammatory markers were evaluated between and within the groups.

Results: Levels of A-FABP and inflammatory markers were significantly higher in HD patients. In the HD group, 20% of the patients had documented CVD. Levels of A-FABP and inflammatory markers were similar in nondiabetic and diabetic HD patients. Age was negatively correlated with A-FABP levels. Presence of diabetes was not correlated with A-FABP. Serum CRP and IL-6 levels were significantly correlated with A-FABP levels (r=0.354, p=0.003 and r=0.393, p=0.001, respectively).

Conclusion: A-FABP levels are elevated in HD patients. Systemic inflammation is significantly related to A-FABP levels in both nondiabetic and diabetic HD patients and decreases with age. Findings of this study support the adverse cardiovascular effects of systemic inflammation in HD patients.

Cite this article as: Korucu B, Derici MK, Değer SM, Çokay A, Helvacı Ö, Elbeg Ş, et al. Relationship between Serum Adipocyte Fatty Acid-Binding Protein Levels and Systemic Inflammation in Hemodialysis Patients. Turk J Nephrol 2020; 29(2): 115-21.