Academic Editor: Brian Tomlinson
Background: In kidney transplantation (Ktx) recipients, cardiovascular
(CV) disease remains the leading cause of death. Abnormal carotid intima-media
thickness (IMT) represents a valid indicator of incipient atherosclerosis also in
this setting. Cathepsin-K (CatK) is a cysteine protease involved in vascular
remodelling, as well as in progressive atherosclerosis. In this study we
evaluated clinical predictors of CatK in Ktx recipients, with a particular focus
on its possible relationships with subclinical atherosclerosis. Methods:
Circulating CatK was measured in 40 stable Ktx recipients together with
several laboratory, clinical and echocardiography parameters. 30 healthy subjects
and 30 hemodialysis (HD) patients served as controls for CatK values. Carotid IMT
was measured in Ktx and these subjects were then categorized according to
age-gender reference cut-offs of normal IMT. Results: CatK levels were
similar in Ktx recipients and healthy subjects but significantly reduced as
compared to HD (p = 0.0001). In Ktx, at multivariate analyses CatK was
associated with the LV end-diastolic volume (LVEDVi) (