Plasma levels of soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products (sRAGE) and proinflammatory ligand for RAGE (EN-RAGE) are associated with carotid atherosclerosis in patients with peritoneal dialysis

ObjectivesThe soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products (sRAGE) exerts a protective effect on the development of atherosclerotic vascular complications by inhibiting RAGE-mediated inflammatory response. In contrast, extracellular newly identified RAGE-binding protein (EN-RAGE) contributes to increased atherosclerosis as a pro-inflammatory ligand for RAGE. We determined the levels of sRAGE and EN-RAGE in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients and evaluated their relationship with carotid atherosclerosis.MethodsA cross-sectional study was performed in 91 PD patients and 29 control subjects. Carotid IMT (cIMT) and abdominal aortic vascular calcification score (VCS) were evaluated using high-resolution B-mode ultrasonography and plain radiographic film of the lateral abdomen.ResultsPlasma sRAGE and EN-RAGE levels were more than twice as higher in PD patients compared to controls. EN-RAGE showed a strong positive correlation with serum high-sensitivity CRP (p = 0.007) and IL-6 (p = 0.002), whereas sRAGE was negatively associated with those inflammatory markers (p = 0.001, p = 0.031). Even after adjustments for traditional cardiovascular risk factors, both sRAGE and EN-RAGE were independently associated with cIMT (β = −0.230, p = 0.037, β = 0.155, p = 0.045) and VCS (β = −0.205, p = 0.049, β = 0.197, p = 0.156). Multivariate logistic analysis revealed that old age (OR 1.14, 95% CI 1.03–1.25, p = 0.009), presence of diabetes (OR 13.4, 95% CI: 1.20–150.18, p = 0.035) and elevated plasma EN-RAGE (OR 2.26, 95% CI: 1.05–5.11, p = 0.048) were significant predictors for the occurrence of carotid atherosclerosis (cIMT > 1.0 mm and/or plaque formation).ConclusionsOur findings suggest that elevated plasma EN-RAGE and decreased sRAGE level could play a crucial role in systemic inflammation and carotid atherosclerosis in PD patients.