Peritoneal Protein Loss, Inflammation, and Nutrition: Refuting Myths

Peritoneal protein loss (PPL) has been correlated with mortality, malnutrition and inflammation. More recently overhydration was brought to the equation. This study aims to review classic and recent factors associated with PPL. Prevalent and incident peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients were included. Dialysate and serum IL-6 was obtained during PET. Hydration and nutritional status were assessed by bio-impedance. Linear regression and Cox regression were performed. The 78 included patients presented median values of PPL 4.8 g/24 h, serum IL-6: 5.1 pg/mL, and IL-6 appearance rate 153.5 pg/min. Mean extracellular water excess (EWexc) was 0.88 ± 0.94 L, and lean body mass index (LBMI) 17.3 ± 2.4 kg/m². After mean follow-up of 33.9 ± 29.3 months, 12 patients died. Linear univariable analysis showed positive associations between PPL and small solute transport, body composition (LBMI and EWexc), comorbidities and performing CAPD (vs. cycler). PPL correlated positively with dialysate appearance rate of IL-6, but not with serum IL-6. Linear multivariable analysis confirmed positive association between PPL and EWexc (p = 0.012; 95%CI: 4.162–31.854), LBMI (p = 0.008; 95%CI: 1.720–11.219) and performing CAPD (p = 0.023; 95%CI: 4.375–54.190). In survival analysis, no relationship was found between mortality and PPL. Multivariable Cox regression showed Charlson Comorbidity Index (HR: 1.896, 95%CI: 1.235–2.913), overhydration (HR: 10.034, 95%CI: 1.426–70.587) and lower PPL (HR: 0.576, 95%CI: 0.339–0.978) were predictors for mortality. Overhydration, was a strong predictor of PPL, overpowering variables previously reported as determinants of PPL, namely clinical correlates of endothelial dysfunction or local inflammation. PPL were not associated with malnutrition or higher mortality, emphasizing the importance of volume overload control in PD patients.

Introduction

The clinical significance of peritoneal protein loss (PPL) has been a matter of controversy. It has been seen as a detrimental consequence of peritoneal dialysis for many years (1, 2). Many studies correlated this protein leakage with higher mortality (3–7), malnutrition (8), and inflammation (9). Other authors found PPL to be related with cardiovascular events (10). Such conclusions are commonly explained by the concept of systemic endothelial barrier dysfunction and hence increased peritoneal leak of serum proteins could be seen a biomarker of vascular comorbidity, leading to worse survival (11). In this context, inflammation has been advocated as one of the driving forces for protein leakage. First clinical evidence arose initially from peritonitis (12), and then this debate evolved from an initial culprit systemic inflammation (9) to a consistent focus on local inflammation (11).

In spite of that, several authors have shown other survival cohorts, refuting the association with PPL with all-cause or cardiovascular mortality (10, 13–15). More recent knowledge has brought overhydration to this equation (16, 17), claiming fluid volume overload as a major culprit for PPL attributed mortality. Furthermore, other attributed consequences of PPL, such as malnutrition, have also been refuted in recent papers. Do et al. demonstrated that PPL is not associated with muscle mass, strength or sarcopenia, as long-term markers of malnutrition (18).

Controversy is far from over, and confounders should be identified. By combining critical methodological issues such as effluent and serum biomarkers, the aim of this study is to review classic and recent factors associated with peritoneal protein loss and its consequences on overall mortality in peritoneal dialysis patients.

Materials and Methods

Study Design, Patient Population, and Variables

This single center, longitudinal study, included prevalent and incident peritoneal dialysis, from March 2015 to March 2021, with follow up until the 31st December of 2021. Inclusion criteria comprised a modified PET, using 3.86/4.25% glucose solutions and interleukin−6 determination (both in serum and 4-h peritoneal effluent). Simultaneously, a 24-h collection of spent dialysate was obtained. Effluent protein was measured using the biuret reaction method and peritoneal protein loss (PPL) is expressed as grams per 24-h. Hydration and nutritional status were assessed by simultaneous multifrequency bioelectrical impedance (InBody S10 Body Composition Analysis; Biospace, Seoul, South Korea). Extracellular water excess (ECWexc) was calculated by ECW measured-−0.613 × intracellular water (ICW) measured (19). Exception made for overhydration control in heart failure patients (performing a daily exchange of icodextrin), all other patients were eligible for performing PET.

Baseline demographics and clinical features were registered, namely age, gender, weight, height, medication, cause of kidney failure, dialysis duration, residual renal urine volume and solute clearance. Charlson Comorbidity Index was calculated at the time of study inclusion¹. Routine biochemical analyses were performed by an automatic chemistry analyzer (Architect ci8200 Abbot®). Creatinine was measured with an enzymatic method to prevent glucose interference. Serum high sensitivity C reactive protein (CRP) was determined by immunoturbidimetry at the time of the PET. Residual renal function (RRF) was assessed as the mean of urea and creatinine clearance from the 24-h urine collection. Urea clearance index (Kt/V urea) was derived from the 24-h urine and PD effluent collection.

All patients were treated with reduced glucose degradation products content and a normal pH dialysis solution (Baxter® and Fresenius®). The maximum glucose concentration was 2.27%/2.3%. Patients who had active infection or malignancy, experienced acute hospital admissions or a peritonitis episode during the preceding 3 months, were excluded.

Sample IL-6 Analysis

Collected serum and peritoneal fluid samples were immediately stored at −80°C, until analysis. All samples had one or two freeze–thaw cycles before quantification. For the development of sandwich enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), we used the DuoSet® ELISA Development System to measure Interleukin 6 (IL-6; DY206-05; R&D Systems Inc., Minneapolis, MN, USA), following the manufacturer's protocols and using all the recommended additional reagents. The ELISA was specific for human IL-6 and did not cross-react with human Recombinant human CNTF, G-CSF, gp130, IL-6 R, IL-11, IL-12, LIF, LIF R, and OSM. Duplicate readings were assayed using a TECAN Infinite®200 multimode reader (Mannedorf, Switzerland) for each standard, control, and sample and the average zero standard optical density (O.D.) was subtracted. A standard curve with the value of absorbance vs. the concentration was generated by reducing the data using the Quest Graph™ Four Parameter Logistic (4PL) Curve Calculator (20). The sample concentrations were then calculated from the determined absorbance values through the four-parameter logistic (4PL) standard curve, using the same software.

Statistical Analysis

Shapiro-Wilk test was used to check normality of the data. Results were expressed as frequencies and percentages for categorical variables, mean ± standard deviation (SD) for continuous variables, and median (interquartile range) for skewed distributions. For description of the predictors of peritoneal protein loss uni- and multivariable linear regression were performed. Preliminary analyses were performed to ensure there was no violation of normality and linearity. All variables with a statistical association of p <0.2 were used to create a multiple linear regression model to determine associations with PPL. The backward method was used to choose the best model, based on the highest adjusted R².

Survival analysis, using Cox regression, was performed firstly as univariable analysis. The conditional backward method was used in the multivariate analysis, due to the low number of events. The statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 22.0. Statistical significance was considered at or below a 5% level.

Results

Patients' Characteristics

A total of 78 patients were included (54 incident, 24 prevalent) out of 118 (Figure 1). Table 1 displays the main baseline characteristics. Diabetes-associated renal disease was the most frequent etiology of renal failure (23%), followed by glomerular disease in 19%, tubulo-interstitial disease in 17%, vascular disease in 12%, and unknown in 19% of the patients. Anuria was present in three patients. The baseline evaluation was performed on the first month of technique (interquartile interval 1–8 months) and these patients had a mean follow-up of 33.9 ± 29.3 months.

FIGURE 1

Figure 1. Strobe diagram showing the total number of PD patients assessed for inclusion and included in the study.

TABLE 1

Table 1. Characterization of the patient population (n = 78 patients) and linear univariable regression with peritoneal protein loss.

Univariable Correlation With PPL and Best Multivariable Model

Linear univariable analysis showed positive associations between PPL and (1) small solute transport, as measured by D/P creatinine, (2) body composition, as measured by lean body mass index and overhydration, (3) comorbidities, namely presence of cardiovascular disease or measured by Charlson Comorbidity Index, pulse pressure, older age or male gender (Table 1, right column), (4) performing CAPD vs. cycler. The peritoneal protein loss also correlated positively with dialysate appearance rate of IL-6, but not with serum IL-6. A strong negative correlation was seen between PPL serum albumin and total protein. No significant difference in PPL was found according to icodextrin use or time on PD.

To avoid collinearity, variables with the same biologic meaning were excluded from the multivariable analysis, specifically extracellular water excess was included (excluding extracellular/total body water), and also albumin was entered in the model (ignoring total protein). All the other variables with p-value <0.2 shown in Table 1 were included. By linear multivariable analysis, using the backward method, the model with the best adjusted R²-value showed a significant positive association between PPL and extracellular water excess (95% CI: 4.162–31.854; p = 0.012), lean body mass index (95% CI: 1.720–11.219; p = 0.008) and performing CAPD (95% CI: 4.375–54.190; p = 0.023) were validated. In the best model, cardiovascular disease was considered without attaining statistical significance (Table 2).

TABLE 2

Table 2. Risk factors associated with peritoneal protein loss.

Survival Analysis

Overall, 12 patients died (5 deaths due to cardiovascular events, 2 in the context of catastrophic gastrointestinal hemorrhage, 1 death due to Covid-associated pneumonia, 1 death after aspiration pneumonia, other due to vasculitis recurrence and 2 deaths attributed to cachexia). During follow-up. the annual mortality rate of our Unit averaged 6.3%.

In the exploratory survival analysis, no relationship was found between mortality and PPL (HR: 1.020, 95% CI: 0.777–1.339, p = 0.886). A univariable positive association was shown with age (HR: 1.077, 95% CI: 1.014–1.144, p = 0.016), serum IL-6 concentration (HR: 1.024, 95% CI: 1.006–1.044, p = 0.011), pulse pressure (HR: 1.038, 95% CI: 1.002–1.075, p = 0.039), overhydration (HR: 2.771, 95% CI: 1.267–6.058, p = 0.011) and Charlson Comorbidity Index (HR: 1.331, 95% CI: 1.094–1.620, p = 0.004). The presence of cardiovascular disease at baseline assessment showed a trend for worse outcome (HR: 3.101, 95% CI: 0.976–9.854, p = 0.055). Higher serum albumin levels were found to be protective (HR: 0.339, 95% CI: 0.117–0.981, p = 0.046).

In this early-stage PD population, with globally preserved residual kidney function and lean body mass, an effect of these variables on mortality was not evident. Also, no association with gender, diabetes, dialysate appearance rate of IL-6, CAPD/APD technique or D/P creatinine was found.

Cox regression, conditional backward method, variables included are depicted in Table 3, showed Charlson Comorbidity Index (HR: 1.896, 95% CI: 1.235–2.913, p = 0.003), overhydration (HR: 10.034, 95% CI: 1.426–70.587, p = 0.021) and lower peritoneal protein loss (HR: 0.576, 95% CI: 0.339–0.978, p = 0.041) were predictors for mortality.

TABLE 3

Table 3. Risk factors predictive of mortality.

Discussion

The purpose of this study was to analyze peritoneal protein loss determinants and to explore prognostic consequences. Most commonly established pathways for higher peritoneal protein leak have been inflammation, in turn associated with peritoneal solute transport rate, and endothelial dysfunction.

In the analyzed cohort, the univariable analysis showed a consistent association of PPL with small solute transport and dialysate appearance rate of IL-6. Davies et al., established that peritoneal protein clearance was a function of local inflammation (as reflected by the product of effective membrane area and local dialysate IL-6 appearance rate) and not systemic inflammation in patients commencing PD (11). Supporting this notion, in our study systemic inflammation, as assessed by serum Il-6, did not predict higher PPL.

The association of PPL and comorbidities, such as measured by Charlson Comorbidity Index, the presence of cardiovascular disease, higher pulse pressure or older age, have been described in several other cohorts, reinforcing the endothelial dysfunction as the origin for such associations (10, 13, 15, 17).

However, multivariable analysis does not support such inferences. The best explicative model enhances overhydration, better nutrition and performing CAPD as best predictors for higher PPL.

As for overhydration, previous studies have established a pathophysiologic mechanism: fluid overload as an important cause for increased venous pressure, causing protein escape from the microcirculation in its venular segment due to venular hydrostatic pressure (16, 17). The magnitude of this increase can be assessed by patients' peritoneal protein loss. Regarding nutritional status, lean body mass index (LBMI) measured by BIA and corrected for body height square has been used as a useful marker (22). Our cohort shows that higher LBMI was independently associated with higher PPL, contradicting the previous viewpoint that higher PPL may cause hypoalbuminemia and malnutrition (1). Previous cohort studies have found similar results, defending that PPL can be compensated by an adequate dietary intake (2, 18) and those patients who have better nutritional state may have more sufficient protein reserves, as well as more active protein metabolism in the peritoneal cavity and lead to more protein loss (18, 23). As for the relation of peritoneal protein leak with PD technique, this issue has also revealed to be a controversial topic. Kathuria et al., back in 1997, found no difference in nocturnal intermittent PD vs. CAPD, in terms of peritoneal protein leakage (24). In our cohort CAPD was associated with higher PPL. This comes in accordance to an interventional study, done by Cueto-Manzano et al., demonstrating lower PPL with short dwell-time periods and extended dry periods (25). Despite the controversy, APD could be a more feasible option in nephrotic patients, in order to decrease PPL, which could aggravate the clinical features in presence of the high proteinuria (opinion).

In the exploratory survival analysis, higher mortality was higher in overhydrated patients, with higher Charlson Comorbidity Index, but not peritoneal protein losses. The importance of fluid overload explains the association between peritoneal protein clearance and mortality reported in some epidemiologic studies and refutes assumptions on a possible role of endothelial dysfunction or inflammation (17, 26).

The present study presents with a number of limitations. It was a single-center cross study with a limited number of participants, mostly in early stage of PD exposure. The low number of deaths and the lengthiness of the study could be a limitation for the survival analysis. Strengths of this study rely on the use of measured total protein for 24 h peritoneal protein loss (instead of calculation) and second, the early stage of PD exposure can also be seen as a strength, as it enables insight in normal peritoneal physiology. Third, the use of bioimpedance to evaluate the link between PPL and body composition as an important evaluation tool, allowing the adjustment for multiple confounding covariates. It is recommendable to confirm these results in larger series.

This study illustrates the importance of overhydration, as a strong predictor of PPL, overpowering variables previously reported as determinants of PPL, namely clinical correlates of endothelial dysfunction or local inflammation. Also, survival analysis demonstrates the importance of overhydration as a strong prognostic factor. Peritoneal protein losses were not associated with malnutrition or higher mortality, emphasizing the importance of volume overload control, amenable by adjusted dialysis prescription, diuretic and water intake restriction.

Data Availability Statement

The raw data supporting the conclusions of this article will be made available by the authors, without undue reservation.

Ethics Statement

The studies involving human participants were reviewed and approved by Ethics Committee of the Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Algarve (UAIF 192/2019). The patients/participants provided their written informed consent to participate in this study.

Author Contributions

AM: responsible for the investigational project, elaboration of the manuscript, and statistical analyses. RC and BR: responsible for clinical care and data collection. BR, MTF, MF, and JB: responsible for biological samples care and analysis. AS and AR: responsible for the investigational project and for reviewing the manuscript. All authors contributed to the article and approved the submitted version.

Funding

This work was funded by the grant numbers UIDB/00215/2020, UIDP/00215/2020, and LA/P/0064/2020 respectively.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Publisher's Note

All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article, or claim that may be made by its manufacturer, is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

Footnotes

1. ^https://www.mdcalc.com/charlson-comorbidity-index-cci (accessed during the study time period).

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