Osteoprotegerin and bone mineral density in hemodialysis patients

Introduction Osteoprotegerin is a soluble glycoprotein that belongs to the tumor-necrosis-factor receptor superfamily. In vitro, osteoprotegerin blocks osteoclastogenesis in a dose-dependent manner. The serum osteoprotegerin level shows a positive correlation with bone metabolism markers and a negative correlation with bone mineral density in healthy persons, but these relationships are unclear in hemodialysis patients. We investigated the role of osteoprotegerin in bone loss in hemodialysis patients. Methods We measured baseline serum osteoprotegerin, bone metabolism markers, and bone mineral density in hemodialysis patients. A total of 201 patients (114 men and 87 women) were followed for 12 months, and bone mineral density was measured again to calculate the annual percent change in bone mineral density. Serum osteoprotegerin was also measured in 20 healthy persons. Results The osteoprotegerin levels of the hemodialysis patients were about three times higher than those of the healthy controls. The osteoprotegerin level showed a negative correlation with various bone metabolism markers. In multiple regression analysis, the annual percent change in bone mineral density showed a positive correlation with osteoprotegerin level, while there was a negative correlation with duration of hemodialysis and intact parathyroid hormone level. The osteoprotegerin levels of the hemodialysis patients were about three times higher than those of the healthy controls. The osteoprotegerin level showed a negative correlation with various bone metabolism markers. In multiple regression analysis, the annual percent change in bone mineral density showed a positive correlation with osteoprotegerin level, while there was a negative correlation with duration of hemodialysis and intact parathyroid hormone level. Conclusions These correlations of osteoprotegerin are opposite to those found in healthy persons. However, osteoprotegerin might act to prevent bone loss even in hemodialysis patients.     

Atherosclerosis Risk Is Higher in Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis Patients Than in Hemodialysis Patients

While it has been reported that myocardial infarction and cerebrovascular disease are more common in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients than in hemodialysis patients, some studies have not supported these results. The aim of this study was to compare CAPD and hemodialysis patients with regard to atherosclerotic changes and to assess which factors might be responsible for atherosclerosis in dialysis patients. Group 1 consisted of 65 CAPD patients, and Group 2 consisted of 109 hemodialysis patients who were age-, gender-, and duration-of-dialysis-matched with CAPD patients. We used ultrasonographic measurement of carotid artery intima media thickness to identify atherosclerosis. Known risk factors for atherosclerosis including hypertension, smoking, serum levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)], albumin, intact parathormone, fibrinogen, and C-reactive protein were determined in all patients. More atherosclerotic changes were seen in CAPD than in hemodialysis patients. Of all the atherosclerosis risk factors, only serum total cholesterol, LDL-C, and Lp(a) levels were significantly higher in patients on CAPD.     

Advanced atherosclerosis in predialysis patients with chronic renal failure

BACKGROUND: Atherosclerosis is advanced in hemodialysis patients as shown by increased intima-media thickness of carotid arteries (CA-IMT), although it is not established whether the advanced atherosclerosis results from hemodialysis treatment or from chronic renal failure. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of hemodialysis and renal failure on CA-IMT in patients with chronic renal failure. METHODS: CA-IMT was measured by high-resolution B-mode ultrasonography in 110 patients with chronic renal failure before starting dialysis (CRF group), and compared with CA-IMT of 345 hemodialysis patients (HD group) and 302 healthy control subjects. They were all nondiabetic and the three groups were comparable in age and gender. RESULTS: As compared with the healthy control subjects, the CRF and HD groups had greater CA-IMTs, whereas CA-IMTs of the CRF and HD groups were not statistically different. There was no significant correlation between duration of hemodialysis and CA-IMT in the HD group. Multiple regression analysis in the total subjects indicated that presence of renal failure, but not being treated with hemodialysis, was a significant factor associated with increased CA-IMT independent of age, gender, blood pressure, smoking, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and non-HDL cholesterol levels. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that thickening of arterial wall is present in patients with chronic renal failure before starting hemodialysis treatment, and support the concept that advanced atherosclerosis in hemodialysis patients is due not to hemodialysis treatment, but to renal failure and/or metabolic abnormalities secondary to renal failure.     

冠状动脉钙化对维持性血液透析患者心脏结构和功能的影响及其相关因素评估

目的 观察冠状动脉钙化（CAC）对维持性血液透析（MHD）患者心脏结构和功能的影响，探讨引起CAC的相关危险因素。 方法 40例MHD患者经螺旋CT扫描，了解合并CAC的患者比例，并计算其钙化积分以评估CAC程度。应用心脏彩超和颈动脉超声检查心脏形态、功能及颈动脉斑块，进一步分析MHD患者各项临床指标与CAC的关系。 结果 25例MHD患者（62.5%）合并不同程度的CAC，平均钙化积分为672.3。钙化组（CAC组）与无钙化组（NCAC组）心脏形态及左室顺应性、颈动脉内膜中层厚度（IMT）、斑块发生率、斑块积分差异均有统计学意义。缺血性心脏病和心衰竭发生率均以CAC组为高。4例死于心脏疾病患者均存在CAC。颈动脉斑块阳性组IMT平均为（0.86±0.15） mm，钙化发生率为81%，冠状动脉钙化积分为867±198，均明显高于斑块阴性组[分别为（0.73±0.14） mm,42%,437±176,P < 0.05]。CAC组年龄、糖尿病或肥胖患者比例、透析时间、血磷、C反应蛋白（CRP）、胆固醇和低密度脂蛋白水平、钙磷乘积、颈动脉IMT、斑块积分均高于NCAC组。多元逐步回归分析显示，年龄、透析时间与CAC密切相关。 结论 MHD患者普遍存在CAC。CAC与心脏结构、功能的变化及颈动脉粥样硬化相关。糖尿病及肥胖患者比例、钙磷代谢及脂代谢异常、透析时间、CRP、动脉粥样硬化是CAC的相关因素。年龄和透析时间是CAC的独立危险因素。     

Carotid intima-media thickness and plaques in hemodialysis patients

Atherosclerosis is accelerated in hemodialysis patients. Using B-mode ultrasonography, we compared intima-media thickness (IMT) and the prevalence of plaques in the common carotid and internal carotid arteries in 28 randomly selected hemodialysis patients with that in 28 age- and sex-matched normal controls. The IMT values of the common carotid and internal carotid arteries were higher in hemodialysis patients than in controls with more hemodialysis patients having plaques. In hemodialysis patients, there was a relationship between age and IMT in the common carotid arteries, in the area of bifurcation, and in the internal carotid arteries. We found no relationship between IMT and atherosclerotic risk factors or duration of hemodialysis treatment. IMT at all sites correlated with the number of plaques. Age was the only significant determinant for number of plaques. The results indicate that hemodialysis patients showed advanced atherosclerosis in the carotid arteries compared with age- and sex-matched normal subjects.     

The association of antibodies against oxidized low-density lipoprotein with atherosclerosis in hemodialysis patients

BACKGROUND: Immune response to oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) may modulate atherogenesis. We recently reported that a high titer of serum anti-oxLDL antibody was an independent predictor of a low risk for cardiovascular death in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). In the present study, we examined a possible association between anti-oxLDL antibody titer and arterial wall thickness in ESRD patients. METHODS: The subjects were 103 ESRD patients treated with hemodialysis. A high resolution B-mode ultrasound method was used to measure intima-media thickness of carotid (CA-IMT) and femoral arteries (FA-IMT). RESULTS: In univariate analysis, anti-oxLDL antibody showed a significant negative correlation with FA-IMT. The inverse association between anti-oxLDL antibody and FA-IMT remained significant in multiple regression analysis, including age, gender, blood pressure, plasma lipids, smoking, C-reactive protein, calcium-phosphate product, serum albumin, body mass index, and duration of dialysis as covariates. The antibody titer showed an inverse trend with CA-IMT without statistical significance. CONCLUSION: These results show for the first time that titer of anti-oxLDL antibody is an independent factor inversely associated with arterial thickness in ESRD, supporting the concept that immunity against oxLDL plays an anti-atherogenic role.     

慢性肾脏病患者血栓调节蛋白与动脉粥样硬化的相关性

目的 探讨慢性肾脏病(CKD)患者血栓调节蛋白（Tm）水平与动脉粥样硬化（AS）的相关性。 方法 以北京朝阳医院肾内科住院的96例CKD患者为对象,其中血液透析32例,非透析64例;30例健康志愿者为对照。参试者均于清晨空腹采静脉血,分别测定Scr、胆固醇、三酰甘油、高密度脂蛋白、低密度脂蛋白、C反应蛋白、血红蛋白及血栓调节蛋白。应用彩色多普勒超声检测颈动脉内膜中层厚度（IMT）。对血栓调节蛋白与IMT及相关参数进行相关分析。 结果 CKD患者血栓调节蛋白为（12.15±3.04） mg/L,显著高于健康对照组的（3.12±0.23） mg/L（P < 0.01）。血液透析组血栓调节蛋白为（16.89±3.35） mg/L,显著高于非透析组的（9.78±2.49） mg/L（P < 0.01）。血液透析组IMT值为（1.13±0.31） mm,斑块检出率为48.5%,均显著高于非透析治疗组的（0.95±0.33） mm和28.7%（均P < 0.05）。96例CRF患者的Tm水平与IMT呈正相关（r = 0.335,P < 0．01）。动脉病变程度越重者,血浆Tm水平越高。多元逐步回归分析结果显示,Tm（OR=1.13,95%CI 1.010~1.121）、SBP（OR=1.09,95%CI 1.009~1.114）、CRP（OR=1.22,95%CI 1.216~2.007）分别与CKD患者IMT独立相关。 结论 CKD患者Tm水平与IMT独立相关。血管内皮细胞损伤与CKD患者动脉粥样硬化并发症密切相关。Tm有可能成为血管内皮细胞损伤或功能紊乱的标志物。     

Endogenous estrogen may prevent bone loss in postmenopausal hemodialysis patients throughout life

Summary  

Postmenopausal hemodialysis patients are at risk of complications related to renal mineral and bone disorder, and postmenopausal osteoporosis. In 112 postmenopausal hemodialysis patients, free estrogen index was positively correlated with bone mineral density (BMD) Z-score and the annual percent change of BMD in multiple regression analysis. Endogenous estrogen may prevent bone loss in postmenopausal hemodialysis patients throughout life.     

Thirty-month follow-up of coronary artery calcification in hemodialysis patients: different roles for inflammation and abnormal calcium-phosphorous metabolism?

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Coronary artery calcification (CAC) is considered a marker of atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease (CAD). The CAC progression and factors that influence it were evaluated during a 30-month period. METHODS: Forty HD patients without a history of CAD were enrolled into the study. CAC score was assessed with conventional CT repeated every six months. The circulating factors of phosphorous, calcium, calcium-phosphorous product, intact parathyroid hormone, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, lipoprotein-alpha, albumin, high sensitivity C-reactive protein, and fibrinogen were measured monthly. Hypertension and calcium intake during the study period were taken into account as well. RESULTS: At baseline, CAC score was correlated with age and duration of HD therapy. From all evaluated factors, CAC initiation was influenced only by older age and C-reactive protein. CAC, when it was started, was aggravated continuously and was influenced only by elevated serum phosphorous and calcium-phosphorous product. Hypertension, lipid profile, and calcium intake did not affect CAC initiation or progression. CONCLUSIONS: Once CAC progression starts, it is an uninterrupted process. The roles of inflammation and abnormal calcium-phosphorous metabolism in CAC differ. Inflammation is the major factor that contributes in CAC initiation. Elevated serum phosphorous and calcium-phosphorous product accelerates CAC progression.     

慢性肾脏病5期非透析患者动脉粥样硬化危险因素分析

目的 探讨慢性肾脏病5期非透析患者发生颈动脉粥样硬化的危险因素.方法 选择慢性肾脏病5期非透析患者54例和健康对照者31名检测血肌酐、总胆固醇、甘油三酯、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇、脂蛋白α、白蛋白、血清钙、血清磷、C反应蛋白、晚期氧化蛋白产物等指标,并进行颈动脉超声检查颈动脉内膜中层厚度和粥样斑块.分析影响颈动脉内膜中层厚度的危险因素.结果 两组患者晚期氧化蛋白产物、C反应蛋白比较差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01),且慢性肾脏病5期非透析患者中颈动脉内膜中层厚度明显增厚且动脉斑块发生率高(P＜0.01);多元线性回归分析显示年龄、收缩期血压、血清磷、脂蛋白α、氧化蛋白产物、C反应蛋白是颈动脉内膜中层厚度增厚的独立危险因素.结论 氧化应激、微炎症反应及高血压、高血脂、高血磷等复杂因素的相互作用可能在慢性肾脏病5期非透析患者加速冠状动脉粥样硬化的发生、发展中起重要作用.     

慢性肾脏病5期非透析患者动脉粥样硬化危险因素分析

目的 探讨慢性肾脏病5期非透析患者发生颈动脉粥样硬化的危险因素.方法 选择慢性肾脏病5期非透析患者54例和健康对照者31名检测血肌酐、总胆固醇、甘油三酯、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇、脂蛋白α、白蛋白、血清钙、血清磷、C反应蛋白、晚期氧化蛋白产物等指标,并进行颈动脉超声检查颈动脉内膜中层厚度和粥样斑块.分析影响颈动脉内膜中层厚度的危险因素.结果 两组患者晚期氧化蛋白产物、C反应蛋白比较差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01),且慢性肾脏病5期非透析患者中颈动脉内膜中层厚度明显增厚且动脉斑块发生率高(P＜0.01);多元线性回归分析显示年龄、收缩期血压、血清磷、脂蛋白α、氧化蛋白产物、C反应蛋白是颈动脉内膜中层厚度增厚的独立危险因素.结论 氧化应激、微炎症反应及高血压、高血脂、高血磷等复杂因素的相互作用可能在慢性肾脏病5期非透析患者加速冠状动脉粥样硬化的发生、发展中起重要作用.     

Mineral metabolism and vascular damage in children on dialysis

Cardiovascular disease is increasingly recognized as a life-limiting problem in young patients with chronic kidney disease, but there are few studies in children that describe its determinants. We studied the association of intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) levels and their management on vascular structure and function in 85 children, ages 5-18 years, who had received dialysis for > or =6 months. Compared to controls, dialysis patients had increased carotid intima-media thickness and pulse-wave velocity. All vascular measures positively correlated with serum phosphorus levels, while carotid intima-media thickness and cardiac calcification score also correlated with iPTH levels. Patients with mean time-integrated iPTH levels less than twice the upper limit of normal (n = 41) had vascular measures that were comparable to age-matched controls, but those with iPTH levels greater than twice the upper limit of normal (n = 44) had greater carotid intima-media thickness, stiffer vessels, and increased cardiac calcification than controls. Patients with increased carotid intima-media thickness had stiffer vessels and a greater prevalence of cardiac calcification. There was a strong dose-dependent correlation between vitamin D and all vascular measures, and calcium intake from phosphate binders weakly correlated with carotid intima-media thickness. In conclusion, both iPTH level and dosage of vitamin D are associated with vascular damage and calcification in children on dialysis.     

Bone mass does not correlate with the serum fibroblast growth factor 23 in hemodialysis patients

Circulating fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) increases renal phosphate excretion, decreases bone mineralization and is markedly increased in hemodialysis patients. Bone cells express fibroblast growth receptor 1, suggesting that FGF23 could alter bone mineralization by means of a direct effect on the skeleton and/or secondarily due to hypophosphatemia. To distinguish between these possibilities we measured serum concentrations of FGF23, parathyroid hormone, phosphate, calcium, and markers of bone remodeling, and assessed bone mineral density in 99 hemodialysis patients. FGF23 concentrations were increased in all hemodialysis patients, even in those without hyperphosphatemia, and positively correlated with serum phosphate but not with parathyroid hormone. Hemodialysis did not decrease the serum FGF23 concentration. We found no significant correlation between serum FGF23 levels and bone mineral density. Further analysis by gender or T-score did not modify these results. Serum markers of bone remodeling significantly correlated with parathyroid hormone but not with FGF23 levels. The increase in serum FGF23 concentration in hemodialysis patients cannot be solely ascribed to hyperphosphatemia. Our study suggests that the effects of FGF23 on bone mineralization are mainly due to hypophosphatemia and not a direct effect on bone.     

Organic and functional evaluation of atherosclerosis in renal transplant recipients

We evaluated atherosclerotic lesions in 18 renal transplant recipients in whom the grafts remained functional after transplantation from living donors at the Sakai Hospital, Kinki University School of Medicine. In each patient, the mean intima-media thickness of the bilateral common carotid arteries (mIMT) was measured by ultrasonography. In the pulse wave test, the ankle brachial index (ABI) and the brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (ba-PWV) were measured. In 12 (66.7%) of the 18 renal transplant recipients examined, the mean value of ba-PWV was higher than the mean plus 1 standard deviation (SD) in the corresponding Japanese age group. A significant correlation was noted between mIMT (an organic indicator of atherosclerosis) and ba-PWV (a functional indicator of atherosclerosis). The age at the time of test, blood pressure and the pre-transplant duration of hemodialysis had a significant positive correlation with both mIMT and ba-PWV. Thus in renal transplant recipients, organic evaluation of atherosclerosis correlated significantly with its functional evaluation. Both evaluations were proven to be reliable. Many of the renal transplant recipients had complications from atherosclerosis, and several factors seemed to be involved in the onset of atherosclerosis in these patients. Among others, the duration of hemodialysis before transplant correlated particularly closely with post-transplant onset of atherosclerosis, and it seems likely that persistent uremia can stimulate the progression of atherosclerosis.     

血液透析患者血浆FGF23水平与颈动脉粥样硬化关系的研究

目的:探讨血液透析(HD)患者血浆成纤维细胞生长因子(FGF23)浓度与颈动脉粥样硬化程度的关系。方法:采用酶联免疫法(ELISA)检测186例维持性血透患者血浆FGF23浓度,高分辨二维超声技术测量颈动脉内膜-中层厚度(IMT)及粥样硬化斑块。结果:IMT增厚组及颈动脉斑块组血浆FGF23浓度明显高于颈动脉正常组(3.12±0.23vs2.67±0.21,P<0.01)。FGF23浓度与IMT存在显著正相关(r=0.496P=0.000),多因素逐步回归分析,FGF23浓度是血液透析患者IMT增加的独立危险因素。结论:血液透析患者动脉粥样硬化病变与FGF23有关,FGF23在血液透析患者颈动脉粥样硬化的发生发展中起着重要作用。     

血液透析患者营养不良与动脉粥样硬化的关系

目的 研究维持性血液透析患者营养不良与颈动脉粥样斑块发生率及颈动脉内膜中层厚度(CIMT)的关系.方法 选取同济大学附属东方医院血液透析中心行维持性血液透析治疗98例患者,将所有患者分为动脉粥样硬化组(AS组,52例)和非动脉粥样硬化组(N-AS组,46例),分析两组营养不良状况差异.并根据GNA评分结果,将患者分为营养良好组(54例)和营养不良组(44例),分析CIMT与各营养指标相关性.结果 AS组GNA营养不良发生率较N-AS组显著升高(P＜0.05);AS组与N-AS组相比HDL-C、Allb、PA、TRF、Scr、Kt/v、Lc、DPI水平显著降低,差别有统计学意义(P＜0.05);对营养不良组患者CIMT值与各营养指标进行多元线性回归分析,结果显示MHD患者CIMT与HDL-C、Alb、Scr、Lc、Kt/v、GNA评分密切相关(P＜0.05).结论 颈动脉内膜中层厚度(CIMT)的形成和发展与HDL-C、Alb、Scr、Lc、Kt/v、GNA评分密切相关.MHD患者动脉粥样硬化与营养不良密切相关.     

Lipid risk factors for atherosclerotic carotid artery disease in patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis

We investigated the relationship between abnormalities of lipid metabolism and carotid atherosclerosis in 20 patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (11 men and nine women). Carotid ultrasonography was used to determine the combined thickness of the intima and media (I-M thickness). The apo A-I/apo B ratio showed a significant negative correlation with I-M thickness ( P <0.05). In the patients with carotid plaque, the triglycerides (TG) level and the remnant-like particle cholesterol level (RLP-C) were significantly higher than in the patients without plaque ( P <0.05), and high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and the apo AI/apo B ratio were significantly lower than in the patients without plaque ( P <0.05). Moreover, there was a strong relationship between the severity of plaque and TG, the apo AI/apo B ratio, and RLP-C. Thus, abnormal lipid metabolism may contribute to progressive atherosclerosis, while TG, the apo A-I/apo B ratio, and RLP-C levels may be useful indicators of atherosclerotic risk in peritoneal dialysis patients.     

Strict volume control can improve structure and function of common carotid artery in hemodialysis patients

BACKGROUND: Damage in large arteries, characterized by increased intima-media thickness and decreased compliance, is frequent in hemodialysis patients and increases cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Since volume overload and hypertension may accelerate atherosclerosis in patients with chronic renal failure, the aim of this 1-year study was to assess whether strict volume control would improve structural and functional abnormalities of the com-mon carotid artery in hypertensive hemodialysis patients. METHODS: We conducted a prospective study (n=16) for 1 year to investigate the effect of strict volume control on intima-media thickness and compliance of the common carotid artery. Intima-media thickness was assessed by echocardiography. RESULTS: All patients were normotensive without antihypertensive drugs at the end of follow-up. During the follow-up period, continuous efforts were made to further reduce blood pressure if necessary. This resulted in a gradual further improvement in several of the measured parameters. The cardiac index did not significantly change throughout the study. The most important finding was a marked decrease in the intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery (p<0.000). This decrease in intima-media thickness was accompanied by significant amelioration in the arterial compliance of the common carotid artery (p<0.000) and consequently of the systemic vascular resistance index (p<0.004). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, a strict volume control strategy effectively improves vascular abnormalities. Moreover, this study demonstrates the possible role of vascular stiffening in blood pressure regulation in patients with chronic renal failure.     

Relationship between thyroid function and carotid atherosclerosis in patients on maintenance hemodialysis

Objective To investigate the changes of thyroid function and carotid atherosclerosis in patients on maintenance hemodialysis (MHD). Methods A total of 110 stable MHD patients undergoing hemodialysis for at least three months were enrolled in the study. Serum free-T3 (FT3), free-T4 (FT4) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) concentrations were measured by electrochemiluminescence．Plasma levels of homocysteine (Hcy) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were detected. Clinical data and biochemical indicators were collected. These patients were divided into thyroid dysfunction group and euthyroidism group. Prevalence of atherosclerosis was detected by carotid ultrasonography. The associations between the changes of thyroid function and carotid atherosclerosis were analyzed by Logistic regression model. Results Among these 110 patients, 42 (38.18%) patients had thyroid dysfunction. Hcy and CRP concentrations were significantly higher in thyroid dysfunction group than those in euthyroidism group (P＜0.05). The intima-media thickness, number of plague and arteriostenosis of carotid were higher in thyroid dysfunction group than those in euthyroidism group (P＜0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that increased Hcy and CRP, decreased serum FT3 were independent risk factors for carotid atherosclerosis. Conclusions Thyroid dysfunction with low serum FT3 is frequently found in MHD patients. In MHD patients, FT3 is closely correlated to carotid atherosclerosis.     

Lipid risk factors for atherosclerotic carotid artery disease in patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis

SUMMARY: We investigated the relationship between abnormalities of lipid metabolism and carotid atherosclerosis in 20 patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (11 men and nine women). Carotid ultrasonography was used to determine the combined thickness of the intima and media (I-M thickness). the apo A-I/apo B ratio showed a significant negative correlation with I-M thickness ( P <0.05). In the patients with carotid plaque, the triglycerides (TG) level and the remnant-like particle cholesterol level (RLP-C) were significantly higher than in the patients without plaque ( P <0.05), and high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and the apo AI/apo B ratio were significantly lower than in the patients without plaque ( P <0.05). Moreover, there was a strong relationship between the severity of plaque and TG, the apo AI/apo B ratio, and RLP-C. Thus, abnormal lipid metabolism may contribute to progressive atherosclerosis, while TG, the apo AI/apo B ratio, and RLP-C. levels may be useful indicators of atherosclerotic risk in peritoneal dialysis patients.