Some markers to elucidate the pathophysiology in early diabetic nephropathy

ABSTRACT

Diabetic nephropathy is one of the microvascular complications of diabetes mellitus, microalbuminuria is considered as an important predictor for the onset of diabetic nephropathy. The goal of this study is to search for other markers in the hope of enhancing the sensitivity and specificity of screening for this life threatening complication. In the present study, 82 diabetic patients [26 insulin dependent and 56 non insulin dependent] aged from 21-69 years, [57 males and 25 females], together with 18 apparently healthy control of matchable age and sex were subjected to estimation of serum levels of Interlukin-1B [IL-1B], N-acetyl-13-glucosaminidase [NAG], fructosamine, random blood glucose, urinary levels of NAG, B[2]-microglobulin [B[2]-MG] and creatinine. The study showed that all the parameters studied were significantly higher in diabetics compared to the control group and their levels were significantly higher in diabetics with longer duration of diabetes and serum IL-1B, NAG, urinary B[2]-MG/mg creatinine, and NAG/mg creatinine were significantly higher in non-insulin dependent compared to insulin dependent. No significant correlation could be observed between any of the parameters studied and random blood glucose or fructosamine. Serum IL-1B, urinary B[2]-MG and urinary and serum NAG may be considered a good markers in detecting early diabetic nephropathy