Bone morphogenetic protein-7 and disease progression in renal amyloidosis patients.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an important health care problem with increasing incidence. Early diagnosis, recognition and interventions to avoid the disease progression have great value. Even some risk factors for disease progression have been described; there are still some dark spots. Transforming growth factors (TGFs), particularly bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP7) take place in renal fibrosis. Our study aimed to evaluate the association between serum BMP7 levels and the progression of CKD.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our study has been conducted between January 2008 and December 2010. Decrease in GFR by 10%, doubling of serum creatinine and need for renal replacement therapy have been set as progression end-points. Totally 93 patients (48 female, 45 male) have been included. Baseline and end of follow-up BMP7 levels have been measured.

RESULTS: At the end of the follow-up, 46 of 93 patients have been considered as having progressive CKD. Higher levels of serum BMP7 levels have been found to be associated in progressive kidney disease.

DISCUSSION: Our results showed that BMP7 levels were higher in patients with progressive CKD, and also BMP7 to be associated with CKD progression. But this relationship was not statistically significant. In patients with progressive CKD, higher levels of proteinuria and blood pressure have been previously described. The effect of BMP7 on kidneys is not still clear, it is hypothesized that TGF-beta1 inhibition may alter renal fibrosis.