Pcsk9 Levels And Markers Of Inflammation, Oxidative Stress And Endothelial Dysfunction In A Population Of Non-Dialysis Chronic Kidney Disease Patients: Is There An Association?

Abstract Background and Aims Proprotein convertase subtilisin / kexin 9 (PCSK9) plays an important role in lipid metabolism while available literature regarding its involvement in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and in the expression of genes associated with apoptosis and inflammation is constantly increasing. Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) experience disproportionately increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality due to dyslipidemia, accelerated atherosclerosis, inflammation, oxidative stress and other risk factors. In the present cross-sectional study, we investigated the possible association of serum PCSK9 levels with markers of inflammation, oxidative stress and endothelial damage in patients with CKD. Method Ninety-two patients with CKD stage II-ΙV (eGRF CKD-EPI 47.3 ±25.7ml/min/1,73m2, mean age 66 years, 51 men) were included. Plasma PCSK9 levels were correlated with comorbidities (arterial hypertension; diabetes mellitus, history of cardiovascular disease), renal function indices (eGFR, proteinuria – UPR/24h), lipid parameters (LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, Lp (a), APO-A1, APO-B), as well as soluble biomarkers of inflammation, oxidative stress and endothelial damage (hs-CRP, fibrinogen, 8-epiPGF2a, ox-LDL, IL-6, TNF-α, sICAM-1, sVCAM-1). Results The mean plasma value of PCSK9 was 278.1ng/ml. PCSK9 levels showed direct correlation with serum triglycerides (p = 0.03), Lp(a) (p = 0.01), and sICAM-1 levels (p = 0.03). There was no significant correlation between PCSK9 levels and indices of renal function, other lipid profile parameters, inflammatory markers or co-morbidities. Multiple regression analysis showed a significant effect of the Lp(a) on PCSK9 levels, for each unit of higher Lp(a), an increase by 3.082 is expected (95% CI: 0.935 - 5.228, p=0.006). At the same time, patients receiving statins are expected to have on average 63.8ng/ml higher PCSK9 values compared to patients not receiving statins (95% CI: 14.6 - 113.5 p=0.012). Conclusion Plasma levels of PCSK9 in non-dialysis CKD patients are correlated with endothelial dysfunction and lipid metabolism parameters. Statin intake increases PCSK9 levels significantly in this patient population. PCSK9 levels are not correlated with the severity of kidney disease. Major prospective studies are necessary to investigate the role of PCSK9 in the atherosclerotic cardiovascular outcome in CKD