Evaluation of klotho protein level in chronic kidney disease patients

ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to assay the level of serum klotho protein in chronic kidney disease (CKDs) patients and the relation between its level and cardiovascular complications and mineral bone diseases.BackgroundKlotho protein is a new diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in kidney diseases. Klotho protein deficiency plays an important role in the calcification of vascular and soft tissues. Cardiovascular diseases are the most important causes of morbidity and mortality in CKD patients.Patients and methodsThe study included 60 CKD patients on hemodialysis, 15 CKD patients without hemodialysis, and 14 apparent healthy persons; all are of different age and sex. All groups underwent the same examination and investigation: serum klotho levels assessment and other routine laboratory investigation, for example, blood urea, serum creatinine, serum phosphorous, serum calcium, complete blood count, and serum parathormone. Echocardiography and abdominal radiography are done to all the studied groups and the results are tabulated and analyzed.ResultsThe serum klotho levels are markedly decreased in CKD patients. Serum klotho level is decreased with the increase in age; there was an inverse relationship between serum klotho, blood urea and serum creatinine (P = 0.001) and between serum klotho and phosphorous (P = 0.004); the relation between serum klotho and echo findings was significant (P = 0.025).ConclusionCKD is a statement of klotho deficiency, there is a marked decrease in serum klotho level in the CKD patients Cardiovascular complications especially aortic calcification were found with low-serum klotho level.