Visfatin versus Flow-Mediated Dilatation as a Marker of Endothelial Dysfunction in Pediatric Renal Transplant Recipients

BACKGROUND Renal transplantation (RTx) is the treatment of choice for paediatric end-stage renal disease (ESRD). A major cause of morbidity and mortality after RTx is cardiovascular disease. Independent predictors of cardiovascular events were shown to constitute an endothelial dysfunction (ED). This study aims to evaluate Visfatin serum level in comparison to brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) as a marker of endothelial dysfunction in paediatric RTx recipients. METHODS Visfatin serum level has been evaluated in 30 patients on regular hemodialysis (HD), 36 patients post-RTx and 30 controls as a measure for ED, and has been compared to brachial artery FMD. RESULTS Visfatin level in transplant recipients was significantly lower than the hemodialysis group as well as FMD was better in transplant recipients. In spite of marked improvement of FMD and marked reduction of visfatin in post-RTx no direct statistical correlation was found between serum Visfatin level and flow-mediated dilatation. CONCLUSION Pediatric RTx recipients show lower serum Visfatin level and better FMD than those on regular hemodialysis, reflecting less endothelial dysfunction (ED) and less cardiovascular risk. FMD in kidney transplant recipients tends to be less than normal subjects while visfatin level of the same group is similar to controls. Pediatric RTx appears to have a positive impact on the growth development of children with ESRD.