Influence of Bone Morphogenic Protein 7 (BMP7) on the Progression of Chronic Kidney Disease

Background-Aims: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an important health problem worldwide. TGF (transforming growth factor)-beta and particularly bone morphogenetic protein 7 (BMP7) are held responsible for renal fibrosis. In our study we aimed to evaluate the association between CKD progression and BMP7 levels.Materials and Methods: Our study included 80 patients who are diagnosed with CKD and being followed between January 2008 and December 2010. Progression of CKD was defined as 50% decrease in glomerular filtration rate (GFR), doubling of serum creatinine and initiation of renal replacement therapy. Serum BMP7 levels have been measured initially and at the end of two years follow-up.Results: At the end of the follow-up CKD progression was detected in 18 out of 80 patients (%22.5). Decrease in glomerular filtration rate was found to be correlated with an increase in PTH, phosphorus and a decrease in serum albumin levels. In patients with progressive disease serum BMP7 levels were significantly higher than the ones with stable disease, which were 458±62.3 pg/mL and 360±82.4 pg/mL, respectively.Conclusion: Our results show that the patients with progressive disease have higher BMP7 levels which is a different finding from the previous trials. We speculate that this paradoxal increase may be a compensatory action against the increase in other profibrotic cytokines