Association of Glycoprotein Acetylation With Carotid-Femoral Pulse Wave Velocity in Patients Receiving Maintenance Hemodialysis.

Abstract

BACKGROUND Patients undergoing long-term maintenance hemodialysis (HD) experience persistent low-grade inflammation and are at high risk of cardiovascular complications. Aortic stiffness, commonly assessed by carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV), is a well-established marker of cardiovascular risk. Glycoprotein acetylation (GlycA) reflects cumulative systemic inflammation; however, its association with aortic stiffness in patients undergoing HD remains unclear. MATERIAL AND METHODS In this cross-sectional study, 160 patients receiving maintenance HD were enrolled. Aortic stiffness was defined as cfPWV >10 m/s. Serum GlycA levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Multivariable logistic and linear regression analyses were performed to evaluate the association between GlycA and aortic stiffness. RESULTS A total of 52 patients (32.5%) had aortic stiffness. These patients were older and had a higher prevalence of diabetes and hypertension, along with higher blood pressure, glucose, and GlycA levels (all P<0.05). In multivariable logistic regression analysis, GlycA remained independently associated with aortic stiffness, with each 1 μmol/L increase in GlycA associated with a higher likelihood of aortic stiffness (odds ratio 1.007, 95% CI 1.004-1.010; P<0.001). In linear regression analysis, cfPWV was positively associated with log-GlycA, systolic blood pressure, and glucose levels. CONCLUSIONS Circulating GlycA levels are independently associated with cfPWV and aortic stiffness in patients undergoing HD, suggesting that GlycA may serve as an integrative marker of inflammation-related vascular alterations in this population.