Abstract: TH-PO1033
Cytokine Profiles in Women with CKD and Sexual Dysfunction
Session Information
- Women's Health and Kidney Diseases
November 06, 2025 | Location: Exhibit Hall, Convention Center
Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Category: Women's Health and Kidney Diseases
- 2200 Women's Health and Kidney Diseases
Authors
- Arriola Montenegro, Jose J, Mayo Clinic Minnesota, Rochester, Minnesota, United States
- Suvakov, Sonja, Mayo Clinic Minnesota, Rochester, Minnesota, United States
- Lobo, Angie S., University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
- Kattah, Andrea G., Mayo Clinic Minnesota, Rochester, Minnesota, United States
Background
The role that cytokines play in sexual dysfunction in women with chronic kidney disease (CKD) has not been explored.
Methods
We recruited 32 premenopausal women with stage 3B-5 CKD and evaluated the association of cytokines and sexual dysfunction, defined by female sexual function index (FSFI). We performed a 48-marker discovery assay (Eve Technologies) on plasma. Cytokines were compared between groups (sexual dysfunction as FSFI < 26.55 vs. ≥ 26.55) using the Wilcoxon two-sample test. The Benjamini-Hochberg procedure was applied to control the false discovery rate (FDR)< 0.1. Principal component analysis was used to identify patterns of cytokine expression. The number of principal components (PCs) was determined based on eigenvalues >1.0 and the cumulative variance explained. Component loadings were examined to interpret the biological themes represented by each PC, and cytokines with absolute loadings greater than 0.4 were considered to contribute meaningfully to that PC.
Results
Median age was 37 (IQR 30-42) and eGFR was 18 ml/min/1.73 m2 (IQR 15-29). Median (IQR) FSFI score was 24 (11.9-27.6), with 23/32 (71%) having an FSFI score <26.55. In single cytokine analysis, soluble CD40-ligand (SCD40L) was significantly different between those with and without sexual dysfunction (p= 0.0012, FDR 0.06) and was predictive of FSFI total score (p=0.02). In the PCA analysis, the first 6 PCs accounted for 81% of total variance. PC6, driven by IL-22, IL-17F, PDGF-AA and TGF-alpha (epithelial immune response and tissue repair) was associated FSFI (β -3.95 95% CI -7.1 to -0.75, p=0.02, PC6 vs. PC1 shown in Figure). Adjusting for age and eGFR did not change the findings.
Conclusion
Cytokines related to epithelial tissue repair, immune-vascular signaling, and T-cell activation were associated with sexual function in premenopausal patients with CKD.
Funding
- Private Foundation Support