Correlations of platelet-derived growth factor and Beclin1 with vascular calcification in hemodialysis patients

Objective To investigate the correlations of serum platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) and autophagy-related molecule Beclin1 with vascular calcification (VC) in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis (MHD).

Methods A total of 100 MHD patients were selected as MHD group, and 100 healthy people were selected as control group. The levels of serum PDGF-BB and Beclin1 were compared between the two groups. According to Abdominal Aortic Calcification Score (AACS), MHD patients were divided into calcification group (48 cases) and non-calcification group (52 cases). The influencing factors of VC in MHD patients were analyzed; the value of serum PDGF-BB and Beclin1 levels in predicting VC in MHD patients were analyzed.

Results The level of serum PDGF-BB in the MHD group(90.57±31.64) pg/mL was significantly higher than that in the control group(41.78±13.83) pg/mL, and the level of Beclin1 in MHD group(2.02±0.68) ng/mL was significantly lower than that in the control group(3.09±1.04) ng/mL (P < 0.05). Blood phosphorus, PDGF-BB, blood calcium and TG were the risk factors for VC in MHD patients (P < 0.05), and Beclin1 was a protective factor for VC in MHD patients (P < 0.05). The area under the curve (AUC) of serum PDGF-BB and Beclin1 levels in predicting VC in MHD patients were 0.885 and 0.832, respectively; the AUC of serum PDGF-BB and Beclin1 in combination to predict VC in MHD patients was 0.932, the sensitivity was 85.4%, and the specificity was 92.3%.

Conclusion The serum PDGF-BB level is higher and Beclin1 level is lower in MHD patients, both of them were related to VC. The combined prediction of serum PDGF-BB and Beclin1 may help to prevent and evaluate VC in MHD patients.