Serum paraoxonase activity is associated with epicardial fat tissue in renal transplant recipients.

AIMS: Cardiovascular disease is a major cause of mortality in renal transplant recipients. Paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) has been shown to protect against atherosclerosis by modifying lipoproteins. Epicardial fat tissue (EFT) has been proposed as a new cardiovascular risk factor. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between PON-1 activity and EFT in renal transplant recipients. METHODS: Eighty renal transplant recipients were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. PON-1 activity was assessed from the rate of enzymatic hydrolysis of paraoxon to p-nitrophenol. EFT was measured by echocardiography. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 40.4 ± 12.3 years and mean post transplant follow-up duration was 57.2 ± 46 months. Mean PON-1 activity was 68.5 ± 30 U/L. PON-1 activity was positively correlated with age and body mass index and negatively correlated with parathyroid hormone, dialysis duration and EFT. The mean EFT thickness was 0.64 ± 0.17 cm. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to define independent determinants of EFT in renal transplant recipients. According to linear regression analysis, PON-1 levels and age were found to be independent predictors of EFT. CONCLUSION: Reduced PON-1 activity was negatively associated with EFT and PON-1 activity independently predicts EFT in renal transplant recipients.

An ignored cause of inflammation in patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis: periodontal problems.

AIM: We aimed to assess whether there is a significant relation between periodontal health status and inflammation in uremic patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) and also to reveal the efficiency of periodontal treatment in patients with various degrees of periodontal problems. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Overall, 68 patients undergoing CAPD were included in the study. Clinical indices and measurements were obtained at baseline and panoramic radiographies were used for the diagnosis. According to the baseline values, patients were stratified into four groups according to the severity of periodontal problems as follows: healthy/gingivitis, slight-to-moderate, and severe periodontitis. A control examination was performed 3 months after the periodontal treatment for only 43 patients. Clinical and laboratory parameters before and after treatment were compared. RESULTS: The frequency of periodontal disease was found to be high in uremic patients on CAPD. The frequency and severity of periodontitis was also found to be significantly (p < 0.01) higher in patients with high sensitive C-reactive protein levels and longer duration of peritoneal dialysis (p < 0.01). In addition, the periodontitis rate was found to be higher in patients with cardiovascular disease (p < 0.05) and diabetes mellitus (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: A meticulous periodontal examination should be a routine part of management of the uremic patients on CAPD because periodontal disease could be one of the hidden sources of unexplained inflammatory status.