Correlation between serum YKL-40 levels and albuminuria in type 2 diabetes.

We explored the correlation between serum YKL-40 levels and albuminuria in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and its clinical significance. This study used a cross-sectional survey method. According to the American Diabetes Association 2007 Clinical Practice Recommendations, 738 patients with T2DM were divided into three groups: a normoalbuminuria group [albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) <30 µg/mg, N = 360], a microalbuminuria group (ACR 30-300 µg/mg, N = 246), and a macroalbuminuria group (ACR ≥ 300 µg/mg, N = 332). The serum YKL-40 levels were determined by a quantitative sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in all the cases and in 210 control subjects. Serum YKL-40 levels were significantly higher in the T2DM group vs the control group (P < 0.05), the macroalbuminuria group vs the microalbuminuria group (P < 0.05), and the microalbuminuria group vs the normoalbuminuria group (P < 0.05). Serum YKL-40 levels correlated with ACR in all participants. Significant correlation of YKL-40 was found with ACR, 2-h plasma glucose, glycated hemoglobin, fasting blood glucose, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance index, systolic blood pressure, duration, diastolic blood pressure, age, triglycerides, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (r-values: 0.713, 0.524, 0.515, 0.467, 0.438, 0.409, 0.407, 0.374, 0.112, 0.097, and -0.123, respectively). ACR correlated with serum YKL-40 levels (Beta = 0.555, P < 0.001). YKL-40 may be involved in the occurrence and development of diabetic nephropathy and would be useful as a new marker for the disease.

Effects of mycophenolate mofetil on the expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and fibronectin in high glucose cultured human mesangial cells.

The effects of high glucose on the expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and the main component of the extracellular matrix, fibronectin (FN), were explored in human mesangial cells (HMCs), along with the intervention effects of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) on these indicators. Cultured HMCs were divided into five groups: 1) normal control group (5 mM glucose); 2) high glucose group (30 mM glucose); 3) mannitol osmotic pressure control group (5 mM glucose + 25 mM mannitol); 4) high glucose + MMF-10 group (30 mM glucose + 10 µg/mL MMF); 5) high glucose + MMF-100 group (30 mM glucose + 100 µg/mL MMF). At 24, 48, and 72 h, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay methods were used to detect the effects of MMF on MCP-1 mRNA and protein and FN expression in HMCs under high glucose conditions. MCP-1 mRNA and protein expressions and FN secretion significantly increased in HMCs of the high glucose group compared with the normal control group (P < 0.01), with the highest expression observed at 48 h. MMF could reduce the MCP-1 mRNA and protein and FN expression levels (P < 0.01), and the inhibition occurred in a dose- and time-dependent manner (P < 0.05). In conclusion, MMF could inhibit MCP-1 expression and the secretion of FN, indicating that it may delay the progression of glomerulosclerosis and interstitial fibrosis in diabetic nephropathy to ultimately achieve protective effects on the kidney.