Fetun-A and end stage renal disease: correlations with haemodialytic single session and genotype

Several studies showed that Fetuin-a is an extracellular calcium-regulatory protein acting as a potent inhibitor of calcium-phosphate precipitation, involved also in bone metabolism because of its high affinity for hydroxyapatite. The aim of this study is to evaluate the serum Fetuin-A levels in patients with chronic renal failure before and after a single session of dialysis and to investigate the correlation between protein serum concentrations and T256S genotype. Our results show that serum Fetuin- A levels decrease 4 hours after haemodialysis treatment and a significant correlation between 256SS homozygote and serum protein levels. Ectopic calcification and particularly intravascular calcification is inhibited by Fetuin-A and this mechanism seems to be of some importance in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD).