Abstract
We compared the levels of transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and other biochemical parameters in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus with and without incipient diabetic nephropathy (iDN) and compared them with healthy control subjects. We also measured the effect of 3 and 6 months of ramipril treatment in diabetes patients with iDN. Compared with healthy controls, TGF-beta1 levels were increased in both groups of diabetes patients, whereas VEGF was only elevated in patients with iDN. Ramipril did not have a significant effect on TGF-beta1 or VEGF levels. We observed a significant decrease in microalbuminuria and cystatin C following ramipril treatment. Increased VEGF levels in patients with iDN suggest a role for this cytokine in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy. Cystatin C would make a suitable marker for the screening and assessment of iDN, and for the evaluation of the therapeutic efficacy of drugs.
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