title: Connective tissue growth factor is increased in plasma of type 1 diabetic patients with nephropathy.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Peggy
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Roestenberg
authors.forename: Frans A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: van Nieuwenhoven
authors.forename: Lotte
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wieten
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Boer
authors.forename: Theo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Diekman
authors.forename: Anna M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Tiller
authors.forename: Wilmar M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Wiersinga
authors.forename: Noelynn
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Oliver
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Usinger
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Weitz
authors.forename: Reinier O
authors.initials: RO
authors.lastname: Schlingemann
authors.forename: Roel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Goldschmeding
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: 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