Why the study?
Cardiovascular complications are the leading cause of mortality in chronic kidney disease, prompting investigation into the relationship between angiogenic growth factors (Ang-2 and VEGF) and atherosclerosis and arterial stiffness.
Are serum levels of Ang-2 and VEGF associated with atherosclerosis and arterial stiffness in pre-dialysis CKD patients?
Cross-Sectional (n=337)
No
Are serum levels of Ang-2 and VEGF associated with atherosclerosis and arterial stiffness in pre-dialysis CKD patients?
Effect estimate: OR 1.673 (95% CI 1.131-2.476)
p-value: p=0.0
In pre-dialysis CKD patients, elevated serum Ang-2 levels correlate with increased atherosclerosis and arterial stiffness, suggesting its potential utility as a biomarker for cardiovascular risk in this population.
Ang-2 elevation tracks arterial stiffness in pre-dialysis CKD; hypothesis-generating and requires prospective validation before clinical consideration.
Aim: Cardiovascular (CV) complications are the most common cause of mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).The study aimed to determine the relationship between angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and atherosclerosis as determined by carotid artery intima-media thickness (CAT) and arterial stiffness (AS) as determined by brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (bPWV) in pre-dialysis CKD patients. Material and Method: The study included 126 (47.2%) male and 141 (52.8%) female pre-dialysis CKD patients. Presence of atherosclerosis was determined by CAT and presence of AS by bPWV. VEGF and Ang-2 serum levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Results: CAT, bPWV, and log10 Ang-2 values were significantly higher in patients compared to the healthy control group. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), C-reactive protein (CRP), total cholesterol, triglycerides, CAT, and bPWV were higher and spot urine protein creatinine ratio was lower in patients with high mean log10 Ang-2 compared to the patients with low mean log10 Ang-2. There was a significant correlation between log10 Ang-2 and bPWV and CAT, and an inverse relationship with log10 VEGF. Conclusion: Patients with CKD had increased development of atherosclerosis and AS, increased serum Ang-2 levels compared to healthy individuals. Ang-2 was significantly correlated with renal function and inversely correlated with proteinuria. Ang-2 was found to be correlated with inflammation and hyperlipidemia. A significant correlation was observed between Ang-2 and atherosclerosis and AS, and an inverse relationship was found with VEGF.
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Durak et al. (2025) conducted a cross-sectional in Pre-dialysis chronic kidney disease (n=337). Angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) levels vs. Healthy controls / Low biomarker levels was evaluated on Odds of high serum Ang-2 levels (> median) per unit increase in brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (bPWV) (OR 1.673, 95% CI 1.131-2.476, p=0.0).
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