We aimed to investigate the association between Red Blood Cell Distribution Width (RDW) and Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR), simple, rapidly assessed markers from the complete blood count with vascular calcification (VC)/stiffness and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Dephosphorylated, uncarboxylated matrix Gla-protein (dp-ucMGP), and central/peripheral hemodynamics’ parameters were measured in 158 CKD patients, including Hemodialysis and Peritoneal Dialysis. Spearman’s rho analysis showed that RDW correlated with C-reactive protein (CRP) (r = 0.29, p < 0.001), dp-ucMGP (r = 0.43, p = < 0.0001), central diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (r = −0.19, p = 0.02), and albuminuria (r = −0.17, p = 0.03). NLR correlated with the duration of CVD (r = 0.32, p < 0.001), CRP (r = 0.27, p = 0.01), dp-ucMGP (r = 0.43, p < 0.0001), central DBP (r = −0.32, p < 0.0001) and eGFR (r = −0.25, p = 0.04). In multiple regression models, circulating dp-ucMGP was an independent predictor of RDW (β = 0.001, p = 0.001) and NLR (β = 0.002, p = 0.002). In CKD patients, RDW and NLR are associated with traditional and novel markers of VC and CVD.

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) suffer disproportionately from a high burden of cardiovascular disease, which, despite recent scientific advances, remains partly understood. Vascular calcification (VC) is the result of an ongoing process of misplaced calcium in the inner and medial layers of the arteries, which has emerged as a critical contributor to cardiovascular events in CKD. Beyond its established role in blood clotting and bone health, vitamin K appears crucial in regulating VC via vitamin K-dependent proteins (VKDPs). Among these, the matrix Gla protein (MGP) serves as both a potent inhibitor of VC and a valuable biomarker (in its inactive form) for reflecting circulating vitamin K levels. CKD patients, especially in advanced stages, often present with vitamin K deficiency due to dietary restrictions, medications, and impaired intestinal absorption in the uremic environment. Epidemiological studies confirm a strong association between vitamin K levels, inactive MGP, and increased CVD risk across CKD stages. Based on the promising results of pre-clinical data, an increasing number of clinical trials have investigated the potential benefits of vitamin K supplementation to prevent, delay, or even reverse VC, but the results have remained inconsistent.

Oxidative stress (OS) is caused by an imbalance between the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cells and tissues and the ability of the biological system to detoxify these products. In chronic kidney disease (CKD), OS contributes to deterioration of kidney function and disease progression. In patients with end-stage kidney disease undergoing hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis, OS is further increased and associated with adverse clinical outcomes, including deterioration and subsequent loss of residual renal function, atherosclerosis, hypertension, cardiovascular disease and death. However, currently, there is no consensus or guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of OS in these patients. Herein, we aim to present the existing data regarding biomarkers of OS, pro-oxidants (oxidized albumin, advanced oxidation protein products, xanthine oxidase/dehydrogenase, nitrite/nitrate, malondialdehyde) and antioxidants (superoxide dismutase, catalase, vitamin E, total antioxidant capacity, N-acetylcysteine) that are most clinically relevant and have been more extensively studied in patients with chronic kidney disease, aiming to provide a clearer understanding of this complex area.

We aimed to investigate the association between oxidative stress (OS), inflammation, and kidney function and the predictive ability of OS for mortality and cardiovascular disease in 143 patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and various degrees of kidney function. At baseline, we assessed catalase, nitrogen oxides (NOx), malondialdehyde (MDA), advanced oxidation products (AOPPs), myeloperoxidase (MPO)], kidney function, and C-reactive protein (CRP). All patients were followed for 57 months, with the combined primary outcome of death/cardiovascular (CV) event, whichever occurred first. NOx was an independent predictor of estimated glomerular filtration rate (B = −0.097, p = 0.006), and MPO was correlated with glycated hemoglobin (r = 0.17, p = 0.046), CRP (r = −0.18, p = 0.032), and serum albumin (r = 0.2, p = 0.011, Spearman’s rho). During the follow-up, 24 composite events were documented. Kaplan–Meier curves showed that smoking (p = 0.029), serum albumin (p = 0.014), and MPO (p = 0.024, log-rank test) were associated with the outcome. In multivariate Cox regression models, smoking and MPO were independent predictors of the composite outcome (hazard ratio—HR = 2.8, p = 0.004, 955 confidence interval—CI 1.05–7.5 and HR = 0.99, p = 0.015, 95% CI: 0.98–1.00, respectively), after adjustment for several cofactors. OS might be associated with CV disease in T2DM.

Background and Aims: Peritoneal protein loss (PPL) through peritoneal effluent has been a well-recognized detrimental result of peritoneal dialysis (PD). The amount of protein lost will depend on dialysis time, protein size, its serum concentration and other factors including patients’ clinical status. Peritoneal protein loss may be a manifestation of endothelial dysfunction, as with another type of capillary protein leakage, microalbuminuria, a recognized endothelial dysfunction marker. The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the influence of PPL on cardiovascular mortality of peritoneal dialysis patients Method: This is a single center retrospective study of 84 PD patients (m=54, f=30) with mean age of 65.2±17 years, mean PD duration of 43.2±24.9 months conducted for the time period from 2006 to 2019 (13 years). The patients were divided into two groups according to the amount of protein excreted during the modified Peritoneal Equilibration Test (PET) procedure using PD solution of 3.86% DW, 2 Lt infusion volume for total time of 4 hours. The total amount of proteins excreted was calculate from PET by multiplying the concentration of proteins at the end of the test with the total volume of PD fluid at the same time. Group A excreted a total amount of proteins < 1.55 gr (median value) at the end of PET test and Group B > 1.55 gr. The cumulative all-cause and cardiovascular survival of the PD patients was calculated by Kaplan Meier while the possible effect of any parameter in survival rates was evaluated by using Cox Regression analysis Results: There was not any statistically significant difference between the two groups according to PD duration, age, dialysis adequacy targets, Residual Renal Function(RRF), BMI, ultrafiltration volume during PET and their transport status. The cumulative all-cause survival using Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed no statistically significant deference between the two groups (Log Rank p=0.55) even though mortality risk was adjusted for several factors (Cox Regression). When cardiovascular survival, using Cox Regression analysis, was adjusted for age, sex, Diabetes, PD modality, dialysis Kt/V and RRF we found that Group A (with protein excretion < 1.55 gr) had statistically significant better cardiovascular survival (p=0.029) compared to Group B. We confirm these results while trying to find among the total of our patients the possible risk factors for cardiovascular mortality. Using Cox Regression analysis, the amount of protein excreted during PET procedure and the type of PD solutions (high or low in GDPs) used were statistically significant (p=0.019 and p=0.04 respectively) independent risk factors for cardiovascular survival in our patients. Conclusion: These results indicate that protein loss during peritoneal dialysis procedure has negative impact on cardiovascular mortality and survival of PD patients. Additionally, the use of PD solutions with low Glucose Degradation Products (GDPs) and AGEs may improve PD patient’s cardiovascular survival. Randomized interventional studies are encouraged to address the pathological concern of PPL in the future, namely its effects on cardiovascular conditions or its role as marker and effort to reduce PPL using ACE inhibitors or vit D should be considered only if it diminishes cardiovascular morbidity or mortality.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 infections can cause a wide range of symptoms, particularly in the respiratory system. Diaphragmatic paralysis is a rare condition that is poorly documented in the literature. We present the case of a 38-year-old Caucasian male adult who developed unilateral diaphragmatic paralysis during the course of the disease. The patient presented to the Emergency Department with fever, cough, and dyspnea, was admitted, and was immediately fitted with a high flow nasal cannula. When his condition worsened eight days later, he was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit and a tracheostomy was performed. A CT scan of the chest revealed significant left diaphragm elevation. On the 48^th day, the patient gradually improved and was discharged. The paralysis of the diaphragm persisted three months later in the follow-up examination. This case illustrates a possible neuromuscular virus invasion that may have an impact on the patient's health after discharge.