Abstract: 【Abstract】Objective To investigate the relationship between serum FGF-23 level and vascular calcification, and the effects of oral low-dose calcitriol on FGF-23 and vascular calcification in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients. Methods A total of 63 MHD patients were enrolled in this study, and 33 cases of them
(52.38%) took oral low-dose calcitriol for more than 3 months. Serum FGF-23 was determined by ELISA. Liver and kidney functions, blood glucose and lipids, parathyroid hormone (iPTH), ferritin (FER), and highsensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) were measured in these patients. Myocardial and valvular calcification,
carotid artery intima media thickness (IMT), and arterial plaques were examined by ultrasonography. Abdominal aortic calcification was detected by lateral lumbar X-ray imaging. Statistical analysis was performed by using SPSS 17.0 statistical software package, and P＜0.05 was regarded as statistically significant difference. Results Among the 63 MHD cases, vascular calcification was found in 31 cases (calcification group). Multivariate logistic regression demonstrated that age (OR=1.066, P=0.163), hsCRP (OR=1.195, P=0.065), calciumphosphorus product (OR=1.154, P=0.011), serum FGF-23 (OR=1.048, P=0.012) were the major risk factors of vascular calcification, while higher serum albumin (OR=0.575, P=0.0.016) and calcitriol administration (OR= 0.004, P=0.006) were the protective factors. Conclusions Oral low-dose calcitriol has no significant effect on serum FGF-23 level, but may reduce the incidence of vascular calcification.

Key words: Maintenance hemodialysis, Fibroblast growth factor-23, Calcitriol, Vascular calcification