Profilin as a Novel Biomarker for Assessing Atherosclerosis in Hemodialysis Patients

AIM: Studies have shown a significant correlation between atherosclerosis and profilin-1. However, there is no information in the literature on the concentration of profilin in hemodialysis (HD) patients. This research examined the association between profilin-1 and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), as a marker of early atherosclerosis in HD patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 50 chronic HD patients and 38 healthy, control patients were included in this study. CIMT was measured by high-resolution ultrasonography. RESULTS: The HD patients were older and had higher concentrations of profilin-1, C reactive protein (CRP), uric acid, parathormone, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) than the control patients. In the HD patients, variables impacting CIMT were examined. CIMT and profilin-1 were significantly correlated (r = 0.637, p <0.01), as were CIMT and age (r = 0.424, p = 0.002). Linear regression analysis revealed that profilin-1 is a significant and independent predictor of carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT). Higher profilin-1 levels were associated with increased CIMT values. CONCLUSION: For the first time, it has been shown that HD patients had greater concentrations of profilin-1 than healthy controls. Also, an independent relationship between profilin-1 and CIMT in HD patients was demonstrated.