The association of profilin-1 levels with survival in chronic kidney disease

BackgroundProfilin-1 is a ubiquitous, actin-binding protein that plays an important role in the regulation of actin polymerization and cytoskeleton remodelling and contributes to vascular dysfunction. We conducted this study to investigate the association of serum profilin-1 levels with fatal and nonfatal CVE in a cohort of patients with stage 1-5 CKD. Materials and methodsSerum concentrations of profilin-1 levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Endothelium-dependent vasodilatation (flow-mediated dilatation [FMD]) and endothelium-independent vasodilatation (nitroglycerine-mediated dilatation [NMD]) of the brachial artery were assessed noninvasively, using high-resolution ultrasound. ResultsBoth fatal and nonfatal CVE were significantly higher in patients with high profilin-1 levels. Kaplan-Meier survival curves showed that patients with profilin-1 below the median value (114pg/mL) had higher cumulative survival compared with patients who had profilin-1 levels above the median value (log-rank test, P<.001). ConclusionsThis is the first study that demonstrates the serum profilin-1 is independently associated with endothelial dysfunction, cardiovascular events and survival in patients with CKD.