Relationship of salusin-alpha and salusin-beta levels with atherosclerosis in patients undergoing haemodialysis

INTRODUCTION In patients undergoing haemodialysis, cardiovascular mortality and morbidity, characterised by accelerated atherosclerosis and increased inflammation, are elevated. Salusins are newly defined molecules in the atherosclerotic processes, and while salusin-alpha (Sal-alpha) acts as an antiatherogenic factor, salusin-beta (Sal-beta) has a proatherogenic role. Their roles are as yet undefined in patients undergoing haemodialysis. METHODS In this cross-sectional study, salusin levels, carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) from the common carotid artery and pulse wave velocity (PWV) were measured for 180 patients undergoing haemodialysis and 90 healthy controls. RESULTS Mean Sal-alpha and Sal-beta levels in patients undergoing haemodialysis (Sal-alpha: 726.4 +/- 578.7 pg/mL; Sal-beta: 1,080.4 +/- 757.1 pg/mL) and healthy controls (Sal-alpha: 325.8 +/- 303.7 pg/mL; Sal-beta: 268.1 +/- 409.0 pg/mL) were determined. Negative correlation was observed between Sal-alpha levels and CIMT (patients undergoing haemodialysis: r = -0.330, p < 0.0001; healthy controls: r = -0.223, p = 0.035) and PWV (patients undergoing haemodialysis: r = -0.210, p = 0.005; healthy controls: r = -0.378, p < 0.0001) in both groups. In patients undergoing haemodialysis, positive correlation was observed between Sal-beta/Sal-alpha ratio and CIMT (r = 0.190, p = 0.012) and PWV (r = 0.155, p = 0.041). On subgroup analysis, Sal-a levels were found to be low in patients with diabetes mellitus. CONCLUSION Patients undergoing haemodialysis have higher Sal-beta and Sal-alpha levels, and their higher Sal-beta/Sal-alpha ratio, in comparison with healthy controls, might have cardiovascular risk implications.