Serum Level of Transforming Growth Factor-β and its Meaning in Diabetic Nephropathy / 中国医科大学学报

ABSTRACT

Objective: Our purpose was to understand the effect of transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β) in pathogenesis and development of diabetic nephropathy (DN). Methods: Serum TGF-β was measured with enzyme-linked immunosersorbent assay(ELISA). Results: The serum level of TGF-β in diabetic patients with no DN was not different from that in normal persons(12.7±5.0 pg/ml, 12.6±4.4 pg/ml, P >0.05). Serum TGF-β level in DN patients with urinary albumin clearance (20 to 200 μg/min，not include 200) was significantly higher than that in diabetic patients with no DN (65.3±13.0 pg/ml, 12.7±5.0 pg/ml, P<0.01). Serum level of TGF-β in DN patients with urinary albumin clearance (≥200 μg/min) was significantly higher than that in the patients with trace urinary albumin （136.4±21.4 pg/ml, 65.3±13.0 pg/ml, P<0.01）, and serum level of TGF-β was positively correlated with urinary albumin clearance. Conclusion: The serum level of TGF-β has increased in early stage of DN. With the development of DN, the serum level of TGF-β significantly increased. The alteration of serum level of TGF-β was positively correlated with urinary albumin clearance. So TGF-β play a very important role in pathogenesis and development of diabetic nephropathy. We can regard serum level of TGF-β as a diagnostic target of DN in early stage.