Serum adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein level is associated with arterial stiffness quantified with cardio-ankle vascular index in kidney transplant patients

Background: Arterial stiffness is an established marker of cardiovascular risk and an independent predictor of cardiovascular disease (CVD) events and mortality in kidney transplant (KT) patients. Adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein (A-FABP), a novel adipokine, is positively associated with atherosclerosis. The present study evaluated the relationship between fasting circulating A-FABP and peripheral arterial stiffness using the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) in KT patients. Methods: Fasting blood samples were collected from 74 KT patients, and serum A-FABP levels were measured using an enzyme immunoassay. CAVI was calculated using a waveform device (CAVI-VaSera VS-1000). The cutoff values for high and low levels of arterial stiffness were defined by the CAVI values of ≥9 and <9, respectively. Results: Thirty-four patients (45.9%) were classified into the high arterial stiffness group. Compared with the low arterial stiffness group, the high arterial stiffness group had higher values for age (p = 0.015), systolic blood pressure (p < 0.001), pulse pressure (p < 0.001), duration of kidney transplantation (p = 0.005), serum total cholesterol and triglyceride levels (p = 0.033 and 0.047, respectively), glomerular filtration rate (p = 0.019), fasting glucose levels (p = 0.012), and serum A-FABP levels (p < 0.001). Multivariate forward stepwise linear regression analysis showed that age (p = 0.004), systolic blood pressure (p = 0.001), and serum A-FABP levels (p = 0.003) were independent predictors of CAVI value in KT patients. Conclusion: Serum fasting A-FABP level is positively associated with peripheral arterial stiffness in KT patients.