Fatima Kadhim Makki
Department of Chemistry, College of Science, University of Anbar, Ramadi, Iraq
Hameed Hussein Ali, Ph.D
Department of Chemistry, College of Science, University of Anbar, Ramadi, Iraq
Amer Jihad Hussein
Department of Medicine, Al-Ramadi Teaching Hospital, Ramadi, Anbar, Iraq
ABSTRACT
Background and Aims: The Klotho protein, a coreceptor for Fibroblast Growth Factor-23 (FGF23), plays a crucial role in regulating phosphate homeostasis and vitamin D metabolism. Emerging evidence suggests that reduced α-Klotho levels are significantly associated with the development and progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD). This study aimed to evaluate α-Klotho as a potential biomarker for early detection of CKD and assess its correlation with biochemical parameters in patients with CKD undergoing dialysis and non-dialysis treatments.Methods: The study included 150 participants aged 20 years and older: 50 healthy controls, 50 patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on hemodialysis, and 50 CKD patients not undergoing dialysis. Participants were recruited from the dialysis center at Al-Ramadi Governorate and Al-Ramadi Teaching Hospital, Iraq. Serum levels of α-Klotho, eGFR, PTH, phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca), hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), chloride (Cl-), creatinine, and urea were measured. Results: A significant reduction in α-Klotho levels was observed in ESRD patients undergoing dialysis (83.28 ± 37.33 pg/mL) and CKD patients without dialysis (100.82 ± 42.72 pg/mL) compared to healthy controls (158.66 ± 52.46 pg/mL). Patients exhibited elevated levels of creatinine, urea, PTH, phosphorus, potassium, and uric acid, while levels of Na+, calcium, eGFR, and chloride were significantly reduced. Correlation analysis revealed a positive relationship between α-Klotho and eGFR, Na+, Hb, and Hct, whereas negative correlations were observed with creatinine and uric acid. No significant correlations were found between α-Klotho and P, K+, Cl-, or PTH. Conclusion: The findings highlight the potential of α-Klotho as a biomarker for kidney function in CKD patients. Its positive correlation with eGFR and other biochemical markers suggests its utility in assessing disease progression and guiding clinical management. Further studies are warranted to validate α-Klotho as a diagnostic and prognostic tool in CKD.
Keywords: Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), Hemodialysis (HD), α-Klotho, eGFR (Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate).
