TRAIL (TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand) acts as a soluble cytokine interacting with transmembrane receptors belonging to the TNF-receptor family. TRAIL can activate both apoptotic and anti-apoptotic signals. Lower levels of serum sTRAIL were inversely associated with a higher risk of all-cause mortality in CKD population. A strong association between malnutrition, inflammation and atherosclerosis, have been observed in CKD patients. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between sTRAIL and nutritional markers and adipose tissue metabolism indices in patients on maintenance hemodialysis. The study was performed in group of 76 patients (36 female and 40 male) of average age 60 +/- 12 years on hemodialysis (74.8 +/- 58.0 months). sTRAIL, leptin and adiponectin were determined by ELISA, BMI based on Quetelet formula and serum albumin level using colorimetric bromokrezol green method. The following values of studied parameters were obtained: sTRAIL = 959.6 +/- 204.0 pg/ml, BMI = 24.5 +/- 4.8, leptin = 36.42 +/- 57.94 ng/ml, adiponectin = 17.55 +/- 10.52 microg/ml, leptin/ adiponectin (x10(-3)) = 2.1 +/- 4.5 and albumin = 38.5 +/- 4.5 g/l. sTRAIL correlate negatively with adiponectin and positively with the remaining studied parameters: BMI, albumin, leptin and leptin/adiponectin ratio.
Conclusion: The observed interrelations between sTRAIL and nutritional parameters as well as studied adipokines may indicate the modulating role of sTRAIL in metabolic regulation.