Linkage of Fibroblast Growth Factor 23 and Phosphate in Serum: Phosphate and Fibroblast Growth Factor 23 Reduction by Increasing Dose of Sevelamer

BACKGROUND: High serum phosphate and fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23) levels are well-recognized independent risk factors of mortality and morbidity in patients with chronic kidney diseases (CKDs). Sevelamer, as a phosphate chelating agent, reduces serum phosphate and FGF-23 levels produced by bone osteocytes. This study aimed to determine the best dose at which sevelamer could successfully reduce serum phosphate and FGF-23 levels in rat models of adenine-induced CKD. METHODS: CKD was induced using adenine. Healthy and CKD-induced rats were divided into 6 groups as follows: healthy controls; CKD controls; rats treated with 1%, 2%, and 3% sevelamer for CKDs; and healthy rats administered 3% sevelamer. Biochemical factors and serum FGF-23 levels were measured using spectrophotometry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay methods. RESULTS: Serum phosphate levels were best decreased in rats receiving 3% sevelamer in their diet (5.91±1.48 mg/dL vs. 8.09±1.70 mg/dL, P < 0.05) compared with the CKD control rats. A dose-dependent decrease in serum FGF-23 levels was observed, and the most significant results were obtained in rats receiving 3% sevelamer compared with the CKD control rats (142.60±83.95 pg/mL vs. 297.15±131.10 pg/mL, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Higher sevelamer doses significantly reduced serum phosphate and FGF-23 levels in adenine-induced CKD rats.

Correlation between the level of cholesteryl ester transfer protein in follicular fluid with fertilization rates in IVF/ ICSI cycles

Follicular fluid [FF] plays an important role in oocytes and embryo development, which may contribute to IVF/ICSI success rate. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between cholesteryl ester transfer protein [CETP] level in FF and the success rate of IVF/ICSI. In a cross-sectional study, FF samples, FF samples were obtained from 100 patients referred to Tabriz Alzahra Hospital. Seventy-nine subjects underwent IVF and the remaining 21 underwent ICSI. The levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C], apolipoprotein A-I and CETP were measured using enzymatic, turbidometric and ELISA methods respectively. Analysis of the subgroups with different levels of CETP showed a significant lower level of CETP in the subgroup with the lowest number of mature oocytes [p<0.05]. The level of CETP was also considerably lower [18%, p=0.05] in subjects with<50% oocytes fertilization ratio than subjects with >70% of this ratio. While no association was found for pregnancy, the amount of CETP in FF was associated positively to the maturity and the percentage of oocyte fertilization