Aim: To detect the levels of ICAM-1 and E-selectin in plasmas from uremic patients treated by means of maintaining hemodialysis (MHD) and explore the pathological mechanism of atherosclerosis in MHD patients.
Methods: The levels of ICAM-1 and E-selectin in plasmas from the 105 MHD patients and 25 healthy persons (control group) were detected by dual antibody sandwich ELISA. The cervical atherosclerosis of the patients was examined by type B ultrasonography. Simultaneously, the blood pressures of the patients and control group were taken and recorded, as well as the biochemical criterions in their blood were detected.
Results: (1) The plasma levels of ICAM-1 and E-selectin in MHD patients were significantly higher than those in the control group, respectively (P < 0.01), and in MHD group the above indexes in patients with cervical atherosclerosis were significantly higher than those without cervical atherosclerosis (P < 0.01,P < 0.05). (2) In MHD group, the plasma ICAM-1 level was positively correlated with E-selectin and triglycerides (TG) levels(r = 0.62 and 0.60, respectively), and with the diastolic pressure(r = 0.41,P < 0.05).
Conclusion: The impairment of vascular endothelial function was obvious in uremic patients with MHD. The changes of ICAM-1 and E-selectin could be accepted as biochemical criterions of vascular endothelial injury. The two adhesion molecules have close relationship with atherosclerosis in MHD patients.