Abstract: Objective To elucidate the association of osteopontin(OPN) and the circulating inactive form of matrix Gla protein(ucMGP) with the presence of cardiovascular calcification in maintenance hemodialysis(MHD)patients. Methods Serum OPN and ucMGP in 55 MHD patients and 22 health subjects at matching age were measured using ELISA. The intimal and medial thicknesses(IMT) in carotid artery were measured by doppler ultrasonography and the cardiac valve calcification by colour doppler ultrasonography. Results The levels of OPN and ucMGP in MHD patients were significantly higher than those in healthy ones. The concentrations of OPN were positively correlated with the IMT(r=0.55, P<0.05). The levels of OPN and ucMGP were higher in cardiac calcification group. Conclusion The levels of OPN and ucMGP may be associated with the presence of atherosclerosis and valvular calcification in MHD patients,and which may be used as markers for cardiovascular calcification.

Key words: osteopontin, ucMGP, atherosclerosis, cardic valvular calcification, hemodialysis