The Fas/Fas ligand Was L) system is a key regulatory pathway of apoptosis. Our aim
was to measure sFas and sFas L levels in the serum of apparently healthy control subjects
and patients with various degrees of chronic renal failure (CRF) to examine whether
uremic serum abrogates the apoptogenic effect of Fas L by binding specifically to sFas.
This study was carried out on 65 patients with CRF, 26 patients under conservative treatment,
27 patients undergoing maintenance haemodialysis (HD) and 12 patients undergoing
peritoneal dialysis. Fifteen age-and sex-matched apparently healthy individuals were
also recruited, as a control group. Serum sFas and sFas L were measured by enzymelinked
immunosorbent assay (ELISA). For all subjects, levels of blood urea, serum createnine,
creatinine clearance and serum albumin were also determined sFas levels were significantly
higher in patients with CRF and patients undergoing dialysis. The most striking
elevation in sFas was reported in-patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (mean 28022 ±
1685 pg/ml). Serum sFas L levels were not different among the four groups. However, the
sFas-to-sFas L ratio was significantly lower in control subjects (22.0 ± 2.5) as compared
with patients with CRF (42.5 ± 17), patients undergoing HD (59.0 ± 10.2) and patients
undergoing PD (65.6 ± 9.6). There was a significant negative correlation between sFas
levels and creatinine clearance (r= - 0.69, P<0.001). In conclusion, serum sFas levels are
increased in patients with various degrees of CRF and may bind circulating sFas L, thereby
minimizing mediation of cellular apoptosis. |
