Procalcitonin and malondialdehyde as markers of inflammation in hemodialysis patients

Abstract

AimProcalcitonin (PCT) is known as an infection marker. Malondialdehyde (MDA) is considered as a marker of oxidative stress. Both have been found to be elevated in peritoneal dialysis patients. In this study, we measured pro-calcitonin, malondialdehyde, and traditional inflammation markers, includ-ing albumin, C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), fibrinogen, lymphocyte counts, and white blood cell counts (WBC) in hemo-dialysis (HD) patients, patients with moderate chronic kidney disease (CKD), and healthy subjects.MethodWe measured PCT, MDA, albumin, CRP, ESR, fibrinogen, lymphocyte counts, and WBC in 35 maintenance HD patients, 30 patients with moderate chronic kidney disease and a control group with normal kidney functions. The correlation of PCT and MDA with traditional inflammation markers (albumin, CRP, ESR, fibrinogen, lymphocyte counts, and WBC) was also evaluated.ResultsPCT levels were significantly higher and were correlated with CRP levels in the HD group (r=0.89). MDA was significantly higher in HD patients and non-dialysis CKD patients as compared to healthy controls.ConclusionHigher PCT levels in HD patients might be caused by minimal endotoxin contamination. Elevated CRP levels, known as a marker of inflammation, were correlated with elevated PCT lev-els. PCT may also be a marker of inflammation.

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