Kidney Week

Abstract: SA-PO531

Biomarkers of Kidney Tubule Health and Retinal Microvascular Signs: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis

Session Information

• Hypertension and CVD: Clinical - II
  November 04, 2023 | Location: Exhibit Hall, Pennsylvania Convention Center
  Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Category: Hypertension and CVD

• 1602 Hypertension and CVD: Clinical

Authors

• Gorji, Hassan, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States

Hassan Gorji,

• Katz, Ronit, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States

Ronit Katz,

• Yang, Jason W., University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States

Jason W. Yang,

• Meuer, Stacy M., University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States

Stacy M. Meuer,

• Gutierrez, Orlando M., The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States

Orlando M. Gutierrez,

• Sarnak, Mark J., Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Mark J. Sarnak,

• Shlipak, Michael, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States

Michael Shlipak,

• Ix, Joachim H., University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States

Joachim H. Ix,

• Malhotra, Rakesh, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States

Rakesh Malhotra,

Background

Both the retina and kidney can be damaged by microvascular disease. Here, we examined the association between biomarkers for kidney tubule health and retinal microvascular signs in persons who participated in The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA).

Methods

Among 470 MESA participants, we measured 6 plasma biomarkers of kidney tubule health: KIM-1, MCP-1, SuPAR, TNFR 1 and 2, and YKL-40 and 6 urinary biomarkers of kidney tubule health: A-1MG, EGF, IL-18, KIM-1, MCP-1, and YKL-40. Retinal microvascular measurements were assessed from fundus photography: central retinal arteriolar and venular equivalents (CRAE and CRVE, respectively). We used multivariable linear regression models to test the associations between kidney tubule health markers and CRAE and CRVE. Final model was adjusted for age, race, gender, BMI, hypertension, LDL, HDL, smoking, urine albumin, urine creatinine and eGFR.

Results

Mean age was 60±10 years and mean eGFR was 92±13ml/min/1.73m². The prevalence of HTN and current smoking was 36% and 14%, respectively. The mean CRAE and CRVE was 144±14 µm and 214±21 µm, respectively. In adjusted continuous models, each 1 SD higher plasma KIM-1, and urine KIM-1 concentrations were individually associated with narrower CRAE. Each 1 SD higher plasma SuPAR concentrations were individually associated with wider CRAE and CRVE (Figure). There was no significant association between remaining biomarkers and CRAE and CRVE.

Conclusion

In this study of community-living individuals without CKD, diabetes, or CVD, selected kidney tubule health markers are associated with subtle retinal microvascular changes. These findings suggest that microvascular disease may impact the kidney tubules, above and beyond the glomerulus.