Serum Level of Lipopolysaccharide-binding Protein (LBP) and Atherosclerosis in Hemodialysis Patients

Background In hemodialysis (HD) patients, impaired gut barrier and alteration in microbiota in the gut is thought to increase the risk of bacterial translocation and chronic inflammation. Lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) is an acute-phase reactant that mediates immune responses triggered by microbial products. Our aim is to investigate the relationship between circulating levels of LBP, inflammatory markers and incident atherosclerotic vascular events in HD patients and follow-up this defined cohort for 3 years. Methods A total of 300 HD patients will be recruited. The LBP and inflammatory markers will be determined using immuoassay methods annually. A bioimpedance spectroscopy device will used for body fat composition measurement and measurements will be done annually. Arterial stiffness is evaluated by measuring PWV in the heart-femoral segment using an automatic waveform analyzer.