Els tended to be lower in patients with FMD,6.0 compared to those with FMD 6.0 (p = 0.0863) (Figure 2A). The serum Pentagastrin Klotho levels were significantly lower in patients with PWV 1400 cm/s, max IMT 1.1 mm and ACI.0 compared to those with PWV,1400 cm/s, max IMT,1.1 mm and ACI = 0 , respectively (Figure 2B ).The factors significantly associated with baPWV were age, MBP, albuminuria and serum Klotho. The adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for serum Klotho (per 100 pg/mL increase) and albuminuria (per 500 mg/day increase) were 0.60 (95 CI: 0.39 to 0.98; p = 0.0075) and 1.97 (95 CI: 1.16 to 3.73; p = 0.0219), respectively (Figure 3).DiscussionIn this study, we measured the serum Klotho levels and determined the relationships between the serum Klotho level and markers of CKD-MBD and vascular dysfunction, including FMD, baPWV, max IMT and ACI in patients with CKD. We herein provide the first 23727046 evidence in CKD patients that: 1) the serum soluble Klotho level is significantly correlated with markers of CKD-MBD, including the levels of PTH, 1,25D and FEPi; 2) decreased levels of serum Klotho are significantly associated with signs of vascular dysfunction such as pronounced arterial stiffness evaluated by baPWV; and 3) in a multivariate analysis, the serum Klotho level was found to be an independent determinant of marked arterial stiffness, which has been reported to be associated with increased cardiovascular purchase (��)-Hexaconazole mortality and morbidity. In this study, the group with lower levels of serum Klotho exhibited significantly lower eGFR levels, as previously reported in CKD patients [17] and patients on hemodialysis [34]. It has been reported that the mRNA and protein expression levels of Klotho are severely reduced in the kidneys of patients with chronic renal failure compared to control subjects [35]. However, it seems that the serum Klotho levels are not completely depleted, even in patients with stage 5 CKD on hemodialysis [34]. This finding suggests that a basal level of Klotho production from other organs than the kidneys, such as the brain and parathyroid glands, might exist in humans, as has been previously reported in mice [8,9,10]. A recent study indicated that the transcriptional suppression of Klotho by a protein-bound uremic toxin, indoxyl sulfate, results from CpG hypermethylation of the Klotho gene [36]. Since indoxyl sulfate may play a significant role in the vascular disease and higher mortality observed in CKD patients [37], epigenetic modification of the Klotho gene by a uremic toxin such as indoxyl sulfate might be a mechanism underlying the association between the decline of serum Klotho levels and arterial stiffness in CKD patients observed in the current study. With regard to markers of CKD-MBD, the serum Klotho level was inversely correlated with the FEPi and log intact PTH and positively correlated with the 1,25D level. The FEPi significantly increased along with declines in the eGFR in the CKD patients evaluated in this study and also in the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort (CRIC) study [6]. The serum Klotho is unable to function as a decoy receptor for FGF23, because Klotho alone does not bind to FGF23 with high affinity. Unlike membrane Klotho, serum Klotho cannot efficiently support FGF23-induced activation of FGF signaling [38]. Instead, serum Klotho may inhibit Type 2a Na-phosphate co-transporter (Npt2a) by decreasing the number of cell-surface Npt2a, thereby reducing cellular phosphate uptake in renal proximal tubular cells [39]. Th.Els tended to be lower in patients with FMD,6.0 compared to those with FMD 6.0 (p = 0.0863) (Figure 2A). The serum Klotho levels were significantly lower in patients with PWV 1400 cm/s, max IMT 1.1 mm and ACI.0 compared to those with PWV,1400 cm/s, max IMT,1.1 mm and ACI = 0 , respectively (Figure 2B ).The factors significantly associated with baPWV were age, MBP, albuminuria and serum Klotho. The adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for serum Klotho (per 100 pg/mL increase) and albuminuria (per 500 mg/day increase) were 0.60 (95 CI: 0.39 to 0.98; p = 0.0075) and 1.97 (95 CI: 1.16 to 3.73; p = 0.0219), respectively (Figure 3).DiscussionIn this study, we measured the serum Klotho levels and determined the relationships between the serum Klotho level and markers of CKD-MBD and vascular dysfunction, including FMD, baPWV, max IMT and ACI in patients with CKD. We herein provide the first 23727046 evidence in CKD patients that: 1) the serum soluble Klotho level is significantly correlated with markers of CKD-MBD, including the levels of PTH, 1,25D and FEPi; 2) decreased levels of serum Klotho are significantly associated with signs of vascular dysfunction such as pronounced arterial stiffness evaluated by baPWV; and 3) in a multivariate analysis, the serum Klotho level was found to be an independent determinant of marked arterial stiffness, which has been reported to be associated with increased cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. In this study, the group with lower levels of serum Klotho exhibited significantly lower eGFR levels, as previously reported in CKD patients [17] and patients on hemodialysis [34]. It has been reported that the mRNA and protein expression levels of Klotho are severely reduced in the kidneys of patients with chronic renal failure compared to control subjects [35]. However, it seems that the serum Klotho levels are not completely depleted, even in patients with stage 5 CKD on hemodialysis [34]. This finding suggests that a basal level of Klotho production from other organs than the kidneys, such as the brain and parathyroid glands, might exist in humans, as has been previously reported in mice [8,9,10]. A recent study indicated that the transcriptional suppression of Klotho by a protein-bound uremic toxin, indoxyl sulfate, results from CpG hypermethylation of the Klotho gene [36]. Since indoxyl sulfate may play a significant role in the vascular disease and higher mortality observed in CKD patients [37], epigenetic modification of the Klotho gene by a uremic toxin such as indoxyl sulfate might be a mechanism underlying the association between the decline of serum Klotho levels and arterial stiffness in CKD patients observed in the current study. With regard to markers of CKD-MBD, the serum Klotho level was inversely correlated with the FEPi and log intact PTH and positively correlated with the 1,25D level. The FEPi significantly increased along with declines in the eGFR in the CKD patients evaluated in this study and also in the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort (CRIC) study [6]. The serum Klotho is unable to function as a decoy receptor for FGF23, because Klotho alone does not bind to FGF23 with high affinity. Unlike membrane Klotho, serum Klotho cannot efficiently support FGF23-induced activation of FGF signaling [38]. Instead, serum Klotho may inhibit Type 2a Na-phosphate co-transporter (Npt2a) by decreasing the number of cell-surface Npt2a, thereby reducing cellular phosphate uptake in renal proximal tubular cells [39]. Th.