The association of serum dephosphorylated-uncarboxylated matrix gamma carboxyglutamate protein (DP-UCMGP) as a marker of vascular vitamin K status with allograft function in kidney transplant recipients

Introduction: Kidney transplantation has considerably increased the survival and life quality of patients with end-stage renal disease. Objectives: The current study was designed to investigate the circulating level of dephosphorylateduncarboxylated matrix gamma carboxyglutamate protein (dp-ucMGP) as a marker of vitamin K status and vascular calcification in kidney transplant recipients as well as its association with the allograft function. Patients and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 90 eligible kidney transplant recipients were evaluated in the post-transplant phase (about 6-12 months after kidney transplantation). The serum levels of dp-ucMGP, urea, creatinine and other biochemical indices were determined. Results: The mean serum level of dp-ucMGP was 3.78±3.79 µg/L. Most of the participants (80%) had a normal range of serum dp-ucMGP (<4 µg/L). However, 10 % had high serum dp-ucMGP (>12 µg/L). Serum dp-ucMGP did not have any statistical significant association with serum urea, creatinine and kidney function (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Further epidemiologic studies are needed to assess the time trends of dp-ucMGP after renal transplant and its relation to kidney function, since high serum level of dp-ucMGP may make kidney transplant recipients prone to various cardiovascular disease (CVD) and transplant rejection.