Abstract: 【Abstract】Objective Intermedin (IMD) is a novel vasodilator peptide. Many studies have confirmed that IMD also attenuates renal fibrosis, inhibits oxidative stress, promotes angiogenesis and many others. IMD is therefore considered to be a potential renal protective factor. However, most of these functions were derived from in vitro cell experiments and animal studies, without studies on the function of endogenous IMD in humans. This study investigates the level of serum IMD and its influence factors in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients. Methods MHD patients treated in our hospital for more than 3 months with stable clinical condition were enrolled in this study. Serum IMD levels were compared between MHD patients and healthy controls. Linear regression analysis was utilized to explore the influence factors for IMD in MHD patients. Results Serum IMD was significantly lower in MHD patients than in the healthy controls (Z=- 7.666, P<0.001). Univariate analysis displayed that blood phosphorus was negatively correlated with the natural logarithm of serum IMD (Ln IMD) (r=-0.207, P=0.039). Multivariate analysis also found that lower LnIMD was associated with higher serum phosphorus (β=-0.19, 95% CI -0.696～-0.006, P=0.046). Conclusions Serum IMD was lower in MHD patients. Higher serum phosphorus was independently associated with the lower serum IMD in MHD patients.

Key words: Intermedin, Hemodialysis, Risk factor