Clinical significance of apolipoprotein B-48 (apoB-48) in chronic kidney disease patients

Objective: Apolipoprotein B-48 (apoB-48) is a constituent of chylomicrons and their remnants, and high levels of serum apoB-48 are thought to be one of the risk factors for atherosclerosis. In the current study we examined whether serum apoB-48 level is associated with renal dysfunction.

Results: Patients were separated by eGFR into each stage of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Serum apoB-48 levels were measured by chemiluminescence enzyme immunoassay (CLEIA), and serum lipid levels were compared between each stage of CKD. Serum triglyceride (TG) levels were high at stage 4 and stage 5. Serum total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C), and LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) levels were not significantly different. Serum apoB-48 level was significantly higher at stage 4 (Median: 8.3 microg/ml) and stage 5 (9.7 microg/ml) than at stage 1(4.2 microg/ml). Serum apoB-48 levels (10.7 microg/ml) in patients undergoing hemodialysis were not significantly higher than CKD patient of nondialysis (6.9 microg/ml).

Conclusions: Serum apoB-48 level was strongly associated with renal dysfunction. Therefore, increased serum apoB-48 concentrations may contribute to the increased risk of atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease in the CKD patients.