Relationship of Dickkopf-1 With Atherosclerosis and Arterial Stiffness in Renal Transplant Recipients.

Introduction: Dickkopf wingless (Wnt) signaling pathway inhibitor-1 (DKK-1) is a potent antagonist of the WNT canonical signaling pathway. DKK-1 is a substance that exerts anabolic effects on bone and is also involved in vascular cell regulation. The study aimed to determine the relationship of DKK-1 with atherosclerosis as determined by carotid artery intima-media thickness (CA-IMT) and arterial stiffness (AS) as determined by brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) in renal transplant recipients (RTRs).

Methods: A total of 62 (62%) male and 38 (438%) female RTRs with a mean age of 44.22 ± 10.88 years were included in the study. RTRs were compared with 65 healthy individuals. CA-IMT measurement with ultrasonography was used as a marker of atherosclerosis. The presence of AS was detected with the baPWV device.

Results: Creatinine, CA-IMT, and baPWV were higher in the RTRs compared to the healthy subjects. No difference was determined between the two groups regarding log10 DKK-1. No difference was noted in the levels of CA-IMT and baPWV in patients with log10 DKK-1 > 3.83 pg/mL compared to patients with ≤3.83 pg/mL. Correlation and multivariate analyses showed no correlation between log10 DKK-1 and CA-IMT and baPWV.

Discussion: In RTRs, an increased development of atherosclerosis and AS was observed compared to healthy individuals. There was no difference in DKK-1 between the groups based on improved renal function. DKK-1 was not correlated with atherosclerosis and AS.