Study of The Podocalyxin as An Early Marker for Diabetic Nephropathy and Its Correlation with Stages of Diabetic Nephropathy in A Sample of Egyptian Patients with T2DM

Abstract

Background: Nephropathy is a major complication of diabetes, and is the main cause of end-stage kidney disease. Early recognition of nephropathy in diabetic patients is critical because it creates an opportunity to prevent the occurrence of diabetic nephropathy and/or even slow down the process of end-stage kidney disease attributable to diabetes. Human cells; podocytes (pods) have been shown to be functionally and structurally affected in the natural history of diabetic nephropathy. Objective: Study of the podocalyxin as an early marker for diabetic nephropathy and its correlation with stages of diabetic nephropathy in a sample of Egyptian patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Patients and Methods:This study was a cross sectional study conducted on 80 subjects divided into four groups: Group 1: 20 diabetic patients with normalbuminuria. Group 2: 20 diabetic patients with nephropathy and microalbuminuria stages. Group 3: 20 diabetic patients with nephropathy and macroalbuminuria stages, Group 4:20 apparently healthy volunteers were included as a control group. Results: Urinary podocalyxin (PCX) was significantly higher in patients group compared to control group. Urinary PCX was significantly higher in macroalbuminuric group followed by microalbuminuric group then normoalbuminuric group. There was a positive significant correlation between urinary PCX and glycemic profile [Fasting blood sugar (FBS), 2hrPP, Glycosylated Hemoglobin (HbA1C)], serum creatinine and albumin creatinine ratio (ACR). Conclusion: Urinary podocalyxin is a beneficial as an early marker for early stages of diabetic nephropathy in type 2 DM patients.