Relationship between atherogenic index of plasma, asprosin, and metrnl levels in hemodialysis patients

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between the atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) and plasma asprosin and metrnl levels in hemodialysis (HD) patients.
METHODS: Forty-eight patients receiving HD treatment with a diagnosis of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) were included. The control group comprised 34 age-, sex-, and body mass index-matched healthy volunteers without a history
of renal disease. ESRD patients were divided into two groups: high-risk (AIP≥0.24) and low-moderate risk (AIP<0.24).
Asprosin and metrnl levels in the plasma of blood samples taken just before dialysis were studied by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
RESULTS: A significant difference was found between the control group [23.3(19.9-27.7 ng/mL)], the low-moderate risk
group [39.3(34.9-40.8 ng/mL)], and the high-risk group [48.1(44.5-49.9 ng/mL)] in terms of asprosin levels (for each p<0.001). Asprosin values of both low-moderate risk and high-risk groups were significantly higher than the controls.
In the high-risk group, plasma asprosin levels were higher than in the low-moderate risk group (p=0.012). Metrnl levels of the high-risk group were found to be lower than both the control and low-risk groups (p<0.001 and p=0.003, respectively). AIP showed a positive relation to asprosin and a negative relation to metrnl.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Logistic regression analysis has revealed important insights into the independent relationships between metrnl, asprosin, and high AIP values in HD patients. These findings support the anti-atherogenic potential of metrnl and suggest the potential atherogenic effects of asprosin, highlighting the complex interplay between adipokines and cardiovascular risk in this patient population.