Sialic acid content of low-density lipoprotein in hemodialysis patients

Objectives. High morbidity and mortality rates due to chronic heart diseases in patients on hemodialysis is a well-known entity. The main lipid disorder leading to atherosclerosis in these patients is LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) elevation. Recently, it has been suggested that a decrease in the sialic acid content of LDL may also cause atherosclerosis. Methods. Total-cholesterol (total-C), LDL-C, HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C), triglyceride, lipoprotein a [lipo (a)], apolipoprotein A (apo A), apolipoprotein B (apo B), serum sialic acid, and sialic acid content of LDL were measured in 40 hemodialysis patients and in 40 age-matched healthy controls. Results. Statistical analysis showed that triglyceride and lipo (a) levels were significantly higher (p<0.001 and p = 0.008, respectively), and HDL-C and sialic acid content of LDL were significantly lower (p<0.001) in the study group when compared to the control group. Serum sialic acid levels showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups and no significant correlations between LDL sialic acid levels and the other detected parameters. Conclusions. We conclude that the decrease in sialic acid content of LDL, in addition to decreased HDL-C levels and an increase in triglyceride and lipo (a) levels, might be risk factors for occurrence of coronary heart disease in patients on hemodialysis.