Hydration Status of Geriatric Patients Is Associated with Changes in Plasma Proteome, Especially in Proteins Involved in Coagulation

Due to multifactorial reasons, such as decreased thirst and decreased total body water, elderly patients are vulnerable to dehydration. The study aims to investigate whether moderate dehydration or hyperhydration affects the blood proteome. Blood samples, medication, and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) details were collected from 131 geriatric patients (77 women and 54 men aged 81.1 & PLUSMN; 7.2 years). Based on an evaluation by Bioelectrical Impedance Vector Analyses (BIVAs) of this cohort, for each hydration status (dehydrated, hyperhydrated, and control), five appropriate blood plasma samples for both males and females were analyzed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Overall, 262 proteins for female patients and 293 proteins for male patients could be quantified. A total of 38 proteins had significantly different abundance, showing that hydration status does indeed affect the plasma proteome. Protein enrichment analysis of the affected proteins revealed Wound Healing and Keratinization as the two main biological processes being dysregulated. Proteins involved in clot formation are especially affected by hydration status.

Automated summary

Elderly patients are vulnerable to dehydration due to factors such as decreased thirst and total body water. This study investigates the impact of moderate dehydration or hyperhydration on the blood proteome. Blood samples were collected from 131 geriatric patients, and the analysis shows that hydration status affects the plasma proteome, with proteins involved in wound healing and keratinization being dysregulated.