Abstract
The levels of serum Bone Gla Protein (BGP) and plasma free γ-carboxyglutamic acid (free γ-Gla) were measured in 36 patients on maintenance hemodialysis and compared with conventional parameters of renal osteodystrophy (ROD), such as C-PTH, intact PTH, Al-PIII and hydroxyproline levels in serum, and Σ GS/D. Even though the values of BGP were significantly elevated in patients group, 64.5±1.74 ng/ml, but the low values within normal range could be found in 3 of 36 patients, also. On the other hand, plasma levels of free γ-Gla were markedly elevated in all cases as high as 10.40±3.10 nmol/ml in average compared to 1.29±0.37 nmol/ml (n=15) in healthy controls. Comparative analysis of BGP with other parameters showed exclusively significant correlation as follows, C-PTH : r=0.833 (p<0.01), intact PTH : r=0.702 (p<0.01), Al-PIII :r=0.771 (p<0.01), hydroxyproline : r=0.462 (p<0.01), Σ GS/D: r=-0.407 (p<0.05).Respective for its higher levels, comparative analysis of plasma levels of free γ-Gla with other parameters failed to show a significant correlation except for correlation with C-PTH (r=0.459, p<0.01). Based upon these results, we could confirm a marked elevation in plasma levels of free γ-Gla in all patients, but couldn't point out its clinical value in ROD in this study.
