Artery Research (Jul 2010)

Correlation between fetuin-A and matrix Gla protein levels in human serum

  • Katsuhito Mori,
  • Yuji Ikari,
  • Shuichi Jono,
  • Masanori Emoto,
  • Atsushi Shioi,
  • Hidenori Koyama,
  • Tetsuo Shoji,
  • Eiji Ishimura,
  • Masaaki Inaba,
  • Kazuhiro Hara,
  • Yoshiki Nishizawa

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.artres.2010.06.002
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 4, no. 3

Abstract

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Background: Vascular calcification is frequently found in hemodialysis patients. Fetuin-A is a well-characterized circulating inhibitor of calcification. Several other bone-associated proteins, such as the matrix Gla protein (MGP), osteoprotegerin (OPG), and osteopontin (OPN), are also presumed to inhibit vascular calcification. However, little is known about the relationship between fetuin-A and other calcification inhibitors. In this study, we examined the association of fetuin-A with MGP, OPG, and OPN. Methods: We consecutively enrolled 92 subjects who were suspected to have coronary artery diseases. Serum levels of fetuin-A, MGP, OPG, and OPN were measured using ELISA. Results: Fetuin-A level was significantly correlated with MGP level (p = 0.242, p = 0.021). On the other hand, the fetuin-A level was not correlated with OPG (p = 0.048, p = 0.649) and OPN (p = 0.007, p = 0.948) levels. Conclusions: We found the positive correlation between fetuin-A and MGP levels in human serum. Fetuin-A may collaborate with MGP to inhibit vascular calcification.

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