Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The cytokine midkine (MK) is pathologically implicated in progressive chronic kidney disease (CKD) and its systemic consequences and has potential as both a biomarker and therapeutic target. To date, there are no published data on MK levels in patients with different stages of CKD. This study aims to quantify MK levels in patients with CKD and to identify any correlation with CKD stage, cause, progression, comorbid disease or prescribed medication. METHODS: In this observational, single-centre study, demographic data were collected, and serum and urine assayed from 197 patients with CKD and 19 healthy volunteers in an outpatient setting. RESULTS: The median serum and urine MK level in volunteers was 754 pg/mL (IQR: 554-1025) and 239 pg/mL (IQR: 154-568), respectively. Compared with serum MK in stage 1 CKD (660 pg/mL, IQR: 417-893), serum MK increased in stage 3 (1878 pg/mL, IQR: 1188-2756; p<0.001), 4 (2768 pg/mL, IQR: 2065-4735; p<0.001) and 5 (4816 pg/mL, IQ: 37477807; p<0.001). Urine MK levels increased from stage 1 CKD (343 pg/mL, IQR: 147-437) to stage 3 (1007 pg/mL, IQR: 465-2766; p=0.07), 4 (2961 pg/mL, IQR: 1368-5686; p=0.005) and 5 (6722 pg/mL, IQR: 3796-10 060; p=0.001). Fractional MK excretion (FeMK) increased from stage 1 CKD (0.159, IQR: 0.145-0.299) to stage 3 (1.024, IQR: 0.451-1.886, p=0.047), 4 (3.39, IQR: 2.10-5.82, p=0.004) and 5 (11.95, IQR: 5.36-24.41, p<0.001). When adjusted for estimated glomerular filtration rate, neither serum nor urine MK correlated with primary CKD diagnosis or CKD progression (small sample). There was a positive correlation between protein:creatinine ratio and FeMK (p=0.003). Angiotensin blockade (adjusted for proteinuria) was associated with lower urine MK (p=0.018) and FeMK (p=0.025). CONCLUSION: MK levels sequentially rise with CKD stage beyond stage 2, and our data support existing animal evidence for an MK/renin angiotensin-system/proteinuria relationship. To what extent this is related to renal clearance versus pathology, or the consequences of chronically elevated MK levels requires further exploration.