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Medical AI Inquiry: You was designed to assist in medical decision-making based on the provided user questions. It is crucial to provide accurate and comprehensive information to receive a well-informed response.  Labels: OBJECTIVE, METHODS, RESULTS. Meshes: Actins, Adult, Aged, Calcinosis, Female, Humans, Immunohistochemistry, Kidney Failure, Chronic, Male, Middle Aged, Muscle, Smooth, Osteopontin, Radial Artery, Risk Factors, Vascular Diseases.
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Is radial artery calcification in end-stage renal disease patients associated with deposition of osteopontin and diminished expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin? Context: Vascular access is the lifeline of haemodialysis patients and radial-cephalic fistula is the preferred type of access. We investigated vascular calcification in uraemia radial arteries and compared it with clinical parameters. Artery specimens from 30 end-stage renal disease patients were collected, examined calcification by von Kossa and Alizarin red staining. Expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) and the main component of bone matrix, osteopontin (OP) were detected by immunohistochemistry. In uraemia vessels, calcification was mainly located in the medial layer. Nineteen (63.33%) patients had no evidence of calcification, six (20%) had mild/moderate calcification and five (16.66%) had severe calcification. Upregulation of OP and diminished expression of alpha-SMA occurred in the medial layer, especially in the area of severe calcification. The calcification score, decreased expression of alpha-SMA and upregulation of OP were positively correlated with older age, serum calcium, serum phosphorus and calcium x phosphorus product (P < 0.01).
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Vascular calcification in uraemia radial arteries is mainly located in the media layer. The risk factors appear to be older age, an elevated serum level of phosphorus, calcium and calcium x phosphorus product. Final Decision: yes