Epicardial Fat Tissue Thickness Is Correlated With Diminished Levels of Co-Enzyme Q10, a Major Antioxidant Molecule Among Hemodialysis Patients

Abstract

Objectives: Accelerated atherosclerosis is the major cause of mortality in patients on chronic maintenance hemodialysis (HD). Epicardial fat tissue (EFT) is a new risk factor in cardiovascular disease (CVD). The aim of this study was to evaluate the relation between plasma coenzyme Q10 levels (Co-Q10) which is a potent physiologic antioxidant and EFT thickness in HD patients. Design and methods: Seventy one chronic HD patients and 65 age and sex matched healthy individuals were included in the study. Plasma Co-Q10 levels were performed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) measurements. EFT was measured by transthoracic echocardiograpy (TTE) performed with a VIVID 7 instrument. Results: Plasma Co-Q10 levels (1.36 +/- 0.43 vs 2.53 +/- 0.55, p < 0.001) were significantly lower in HD patients compared to controls. EFT was significantly increased in HD patients compared to healthy controls (6.53 +/- 1.01 vs. 5.79 +/- 1.06 mm respectively, p < 0.001). Correlation analysis showed that plasma Co-Q10 levels were inversely correlated with EFT (r = -0.263, p < 0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis was used to define independent determinants of EFT in HD patients. According to linear regression analysis, age, BMI, total cholesterol and Co-Q10 levels were found to be independent predictors of EFT (adjusted r(2) = 0.38, p < 0.001). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that EFT thickness was significantly higher among HD patients compared to healthy controls. In addition; this study was the first to demonstrate an inverse correlation between EFT thickness and Co-Q10 levels in this patient population. (C) 2014 The Canadian Society of Clinical Chemists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.