Association Between Plasma Grem1 and Peritoneal Permeability Alterations in Dialysis Patients

Abstract

Introduction: Alterations in the peritoneal membrane can cause trouble for adequate dialysis. We proposed to evaluate a possible relationship between peritoneal permeability and Grem1 protein in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. Methods: Adult PD patients who undergoing dialysis for at least one year were included. Grem1 level was measured in plasma. The peritoneal equalization test (PET) was used to define peritoneal transporting properties. Dialysate to plasma ratio for creatinine (DPRC) value was used as the parameter of the permeability. The first and last DPRC values were compared to determine membrane alteration status. Results: A total of 60 patients were enrolled. The mean age was 52.9±14.3 years. The average PD duration was 60.3 (24-86.5) months. The average Grem1 level was 164.9 (81.6-164.9) ng/mL. An overall 5.8% increase was determined in DPRC value. There was no statistically significant difference in Grem1 levels between increasing DPRC and non-increasing DPRC groups (p=0.783). According to PET classification: class elevation was observed in 31.7% (19) patients. The plasma Grem1 levels of these groups are as follows: 204.2 ng/mL in stable patients, 168.2 ng/mL in ascending patients, and 196.2 ng/mL in descending patients. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of Grem1 levels in One-Way ANOVA (p=0.709). Conclusion: We did not identify any correlation between changes in peritoneal permeability and plasma Grem1 levels. However, we have emphasized the importance of novel biomarkers that could predict the changes in peritoneal permeability.

Keywords

• grem1
• dialysis
• peritoneal membrane
• permeability