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.