Effect of blood purification on serum miR‐126 and VEGF levels in the process of atherosclerosis in uremic patients under maintenance hemodialysis

Abstract

This study aims to study the influence of different blood purification approaches on the expression of miR-126 and VEGF serum levels in the development of atherosclerosis in uremic patients under maintenance hemodialysis (MHD). A total of 207 MHD patients with uremia were divided into HD (hemodialysis, n = 60), HDF (hemodiafiltration, n = 72), and HD + HP (hemodialysis + hemoperfusion, n = 75) groups based on different purification approaches. Eighty individuals who underwent physical examinations during the same period constituted the healthy controls. The serum levels of miR-126 and VEGF were examined by qRT-PCR and ELISA both before and after treatment, and the intima media thickness (IMT) value and plaque area were evaluated by color Doppler ultrasound. The serum miR-126 level was down-regulated in MHD patients compared with healthy controls, and this was negatively linked to VEGF. The post-treatment expression level of serum miR-126 in the HDF and HD + HP groups was remarkably increased, but VEGF was decreased in MHD patients, and especially significantly in the HDF group. In addition, IMT and plaque area were obviously improved in the HD group after treatment. Pearson correlation analysis showed a negative correlation of miR-126 with IMT and plaque area, but a positive association between VEGF and IMT and plaque area. miR-126 and VEGF are expected to become a valuable biomarker for monitoring the progression of atherosclerosis in uremic patients undergoing MHD.

The Role of the VEGF Family in Atherosclerosis Development and Its Potential as Treatment Targets

“…Obtained results showed a negative correlation of miR-126 with intima-media thickness and plaque area, but a positive association between VEGF and intima-media thickness and plaque area. [74,75]. Mechanically, the anti-atherosclerotic effect of blood purification relies on the improved lipid metabolism (decreasing TG and enhancing the concentration of HDL types), thus lowering the occurrence of atherosclerosis in patients under haemodialysis [76].…”