Increased plasma methylglyoxal level, inflammation, and vascular endothelial dysfunction in diabetic nephropathy.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the association of plasma levels of methylglyoxal (MG) and markers of inflammation/endothelial dysfunction with diabetic nephropathy (DN).


METHODS
Plasma levels of MG, cytokines, and adhesion molecules were measured in type 2 diabetic patients (T2DM), T2DM patients with DN, and the controls.


RESULTS
Plasma MG levels in DN were significantly higher than those in T2DM and the controls (312 ± 135 vs. 212 ± 73 and 312 ± 135 vs. 147 ± 78 nmol/L, respectively, P<0.001). The plasma levels of MG were positively correlated with the fasting glucose, HbA1c, and urinary albumin/creatinine ratio (r=0.754, P<0.05). Plasma levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and adhesion molecules were markedly increased in DN compared to T2DM patients and the controls.


CONCLUSIONS
Increased plasma levels of MG, cytokines, and adhesion molecules are associated with DN. These markers may be useful in predicting the development of DN.
Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Laboratory Medicine, Wenzhou Medical College, Wenzhou, China.
Jianxin
J
Lu
Edward
E
Randell
Yingchun
Y
Han
Khosrow
K
Adeli
John
J
Krahn
Qing H
QH
Meng
D000418:Albumins / Q000032:analysis; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000097:blood; D003404:Creatinine / Q000652:urine; D003928:Diabetic Nephropathies / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010949:Plasma / Q000737:chemistry; D011765:Pyruvaldehyde / Q000097:blood; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000097:blood
D000418:Albumins; D015415:Biomarkers; D001786:Blood Glucose; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D003404:Creatinine; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D015850:Interleukin-6; D011765:Pyruvaldehyde; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; C517652:hemoglobin A1c protein, human