Influence of growth and inflammatory factors on the development of nephropathy in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2

Abstract

BACKGROUND. Presently published research points to an essential role of growth and pro-inflammatory cytokines in the development of diabetic nephropathy. The aim of the study was to evaluate influence of certain growth factors and inflammatory markers on the progression of kidney changes in patients with diabetic nephropathy.
MATERIAL AND METHODS. Material included 50 patients with diabetic nephropathy, 25 out of them re-evaluated after 36 months. Inflammatory and growth factors were measured along with renal parameters in all patients.
RESULTS. Patients with diabetic nephropathy were characterized with significantly higher values of fibrinogen, hsCRP, IL-6 and sTNF-RII in comparison to reference values. In the initial examination, increased concentrations of IL-6 and sTNF-RII were associated with decreased values of GFR (r= -0.3; p = 0.01, as well as r = -0.7; p < 0.0001). After 36 months of observation - an association was found between concentrations of hsCRP, sTNF-RII and albuminuria (r = 0.5; p = 0.008 and r = 0.5; p = 0.02); as well as between VEGF and GFR values (r = -0.4; p = 0.03).
CONCLUSIONS. Research showed that patients with diabetic nephropathy in comparison to reference values had significantly higher concentrations of inflammatory markers. In the prospective examination - changes of inflammatory markers were associated with progression of nephropathy (decrease of GFR and increase of albuminuria).
(Diabet. Prakt. 2010; 11, 4: 118-124)