Abstract: SA-PO1194
Associations of Plasma Ceramides with Adipose Tissue, Plasma, and Urinary Markers of Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in CKD
Session Information
- CKD: Biomarkers and Emerging Tools for Diagnosis and Monitoring
November 08, 2025 | Location: Exhibit Hall, Convention Center
Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Category: CKD (Non-Dialysis)
- 2302 CKD (Non-Dialysis): Clinical, Outcomes, and Trials
Authors
- Moghaddam, Farahnaz Akrami, The University of Utah Department of Nutrition and Integrative Physiology, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
- Beddhu, Srinivasan, University of Utah Health, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
- Bajaj, Amol O, Department of Pathology, University of Utah,, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
- McMillin, Gwendolyn Appell, Department of Pathology, University of Utah,, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
- Doyle, Kelly, Department of Pathology, University of Utah,, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
- Kushnir, Mark M, Department of Pathology, University of Utah,, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
Background
In experimental animal models, accumulation of ceramides is implicated in adipokine dysregulation, inflammation and oxidative stress. The link between ceramides, adipokines, and oxidative stress in humans with CKD remains unexplored and hence, we examined these associations.
Methods
We used stored samples and data from RCT (NCT01350388) that examined the role of uric acid lowering with febuxostat on adipokines in CKD. Baseline plasma ceramides C16:0, C18:0, C24:1, and C24:0 were measured using LC-MS/MS at ARUP Laboratories (Salt Lake City, UT). CERT1 scores were calculated using published cut-offs. We report the baseline associations of CERT1 score with adipose tissue, plasma and urinary adipokines, inflammatory markers (IL-6, TNF-α, CRP), and oxidative stress indicators (TBARS).
Results
Overall, the mean age was 67 ± 11 years, mean eGFR 56 ± 19, 100% had T2D with mean BMI of 35.2 ± 10.8 kg.m2. Baseline characteristics by CERT1 score tertiles are presented in Table 1. Disttibution of adipose tissue, plasma and urinary markers are summarized in Table 2. While adipose tissue adiponectin was lower in the highest CERT1 group, overall there were no significant differences.
Conclusion
In this study of obese patients with T2D with kidney disease, CERT1 scores were not associated with adipose tissue, plasma, or urinary markers of oxidative stress or inflammation. These findings suggest that the previously observed associations of CERT1 scores with CKD progression or heightened cardiovascular risk in CKD might be mediated through other pathways.
Table 1. Characteristics
| Factor | Cert1 Total N=80 | CERT1 score 0-4 N=33 | CERT1 score 4-8 N=29 | CERT1 score 8-12 N=18 | P-Value |
| Age, (years) | 67 ± 11 | 67 ± 9 | 69 ± 11 | 64 ± 12 | 0.31 |
| Female, (%) | 35 | 33 | 21 | 61 | 0.018 |
| T2D(%) | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 0.23 |
| Coronary Artery Disease, (%) | 18 | 12 | 21 | 22 | 0.56 |
| Congestive Heart Failure, (%) | 9 | 9 | 10 | 6 | 0.85 |
| BMI at visit | 35.2 ± 10.8 | 33.9 ± 6.4 | 35.2 ± 8.0 | 37.3 ± 18.2 | 0.58 |
| eGFR, (ml/min/1.73m2) | 56 ± 19 | 56 ± 17 | 53 ± 19 | 62 ± 23 | 0.37 |