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.