Connective tissue growth factor is increased in plasma of type 1 diabetic patients with nephropathy.
OBJECTIVE
Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is strongly upregulated in fibrotic disorders and has been hypothesized to play a role in the development and progression of diabetes complications. The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible association of plasma CTGF levels in type 1 diabetic patients with markers relevant to development of diabetes complications.


METHODS
Plasma CTGF levels (full-length and NH2-terminal fragments) were determined in 62 well-characterized patients with type 1 diabetes and in 21 healthy control subjects. Correlations of these plasma CTGF levels with markers of glycemic control, platelet activation, endothelial activation, nephropathy, and retinopathy were investigated.


RESULTS
-Elevated plasma NH2-terminal fragment of CTGF (CTGF-N) levels were detected in a subpopulation of type 1 diabetic patients and were associated with diabetic nephropathy. Stepwise regression analysis revealed contribution of albuminuria, creatinine clearance, and duration of diabetes as predictors of plasma CTGF-N level. Elevation of plasma CTGF-N levels in patients with retinopathy was probably due to renal comorbidity.


CONCLUSIONS
Plasma CTGF-N levels are elevated in type 1 diabetic patients with nephropathy and appear to be correlated with proteinuria and creatinine clearance. Further studies will be needed to determine the relevance of plasma CTGF as a clinical marker and/or pathogenic factor in diabetic nephropathy.
Roestenberg
Peggy
P
Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
van Nieuwenhoven
Frans A
FA
Wieten
Lotte
L
Boer
Peter
P
Diekman
Theo
T
Tiller
Anna M
AM
Wiersinga
Wilmar M
WM
Oliver
Noelynn
N
Usinger
William
W
Weitz
Stephen
S
Schlingemann
Reinier O
RO
Goldschmeding
Roel
R
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D055513:Connective Tissue Growth Factor; D003404:Creatinine / Q000378:metabolism; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000097:blood*; D003928:Diabetic Nephropathies / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017874:Immediate-Early Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011507:Proteinuria; D012016:Reference Values; D012044:Regression Analysis; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000097:blood
D015415:Biomarkers; C526317:CCN2 protein, human; D017874:Immediate-Early Proteins; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D055513:Connective Tissue Growth Factor; D003404:Creatinine