Denosumab Decreases Epicardial Adipose Tissue Attenuation in Dialysis Patients with Secondary Hyperparathyroidism and Low Bone Mass

• Published in: Cardiorenal medicine 2024-02, Vol.14 (1), p.113-122
• Main Authors: Chen, Chien-Liang, Liou, En-Shao, Wu, Ming-Ting
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adipose Tissue; Aged; Bone Density - drug effects; Bone Density Conservation Agents - therapeutic use; Coronary Artery Disease - complications; Denosumab - therapeutic use; Epicardial Adipose Tissue; Female; Humans; Hyperparathyroidism, Secondary - drug therapy; Hyperparathyroidism, Secondary - etiology; Kidney Failure, Chronic - complications; Kidney Failure, Chronic - therapy; Male; Middle Aged; Pericardium - diagnostic imaging; Renal Dialysis; Research Article; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Vascular Calcification - complications; Vascular Calcification - diagnostic imaging; Vascular Calcification - etiology
• ISSN: 1664-3828; 1664-5502
• DOI: 10.1159/000535882

Abstract Introduction: Denosumab preceding elective surgery is an alternative option when parathyroidectomy is not immediately possible. Denosumab (an osteoprotegerin mimic) may play a role in the cardiovascular system, which is reflected in the features of epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) and coronary artery calcification (CAC). Methods: We investigated the effects of denosumab on EAT attenuation (EATat) and CAC in dialysis patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT). This cohort study included patients on dialysis with SHPT. The baseline characteristics of dialysis patients and propensity score-matched non-dialysis patients were compared. Computed tomography scans of the dialysis patients (dialysis group with denosumab, n = 24; dialysis group without denosumab, n = 21) were obtained at baseline and at 6 months of follow-up. Results: At baseline, the dialysis group patients had a higher EATat-median (−71.00 H ± 10.38 vs. −81.60 H ± 6.03; p < 0.001) and CAC (1,223 A [248.50–3,315] vs. 7 A [0–182.5]; p < 0.001) than the non-dialysis group. At follow-up, the dialysis group without denosumab showed an increase in Agatston score (1,319.50 A [238.00–2,587.50] to 1,552.00 A [335.50–2,952.50]; p = 0.001) without changes in EATat-median (−71.33 H ± 11.72 to −70.86 H ± 12.67; p = 0.15). The dialysis group with denosumab showed no change in Agatston score (1,132.2 A [252.25–3,260.5] to 1,199.50 A [324.25–2,995]; p = 0.19) but a significant decrease of EATat-median (−70.71 H ± 9.30 to −74.33 H ± 10.28; p = 0.01). Conclusions: Denosumab may reverse EATat and retard CAC progression in dialysis patients with SHPT.