title: Predictive value of serum sialic Acid in type-2 diabetes mellitus and its complication (nephropathy).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sialic acid levels are increased in type-2 diabetes mellitus and its estimation helps in predicting the occurrence of microvascular complication such as diabetic nephropathy. The present study compared the levels of sialic acid, glycated haemoglobin, serum creatinine and urine microalbumin: in type-2 diabetics without any complications; in type-2 diabetics with nephropathy; and in age and sex matched healthy individual (controls).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study observed an increased level of sialic acid in type-2 diabetics without any complications and type-2 diabetics with nephropathy. Serum sialic acid levels in type-2 diabetics without any complications was 64.44 ± 3.93 mg/dl, in type-2 diabetics with nephropathy was 73.88 ± 4.41 mg/dl, and in controls it was 53.16 ± 3.40 mg/dl. Urine sialic acid levels in type-2 diabetics without any complications was 6.62 ± 0.70 mg/dl, in type-2 diabetics with nephropathy was 8.46 ± 0.97 mg/dl, and in controls it was 4.44 ± 0.62 mg/dl. Correlation of sialic acid levels with glycated haemoglobin and urine microalbumin was statistically significant but with serum creatinine was not statistically significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sialic acid is an important component of vascular cell membrane. Their increased levels indicate extensive vascular damage in type-2 DM. Therefore, estimation of sialic acid levels help in early prediction and prevention of microvascular complications occurring due to diabetics, thereby decreasing the mortality and morbidity in them.
authors.affiliation: Tutor, Department of Biochemistry, A.J. Institute of Medical Sciences , Kuntikana, Mangalore-575004, Karnataka, India .
authors.forename: Prajna
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: K
authors.affiliation: Professor, Department of Biochemistry, A.J. Institute of Medical Sciences , Kuntikana, Mangalore-575004, Karnataka, India .
authors.forename: Ashok
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kumar J
authors.affiliation: Tutor, Department of Biochemistry, A.J. Institute of Medical Sciences , Kuntikana, Mangalore-575004, Karnataka, India .
authors.forename: Srinidhi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rai
authors.affiliation: Tutor, Department of Biochemistry, A.J. Institute of Medical Sciences , Kuntikana, Mangalore-575004, Karnataka, India .
authors.forename: Shobith Kumar
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Shetty
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Biochemistry, K.S. Hegde Medical Academy , Deralakatte, Mangalore-575018, Karnataka, India .
authors.forename: Tirthal
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Rai
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Biochemistry, K.S. Hegde Medical Academy , Deralakatte, Mangalore-575018, Karnataka, India .
authors.lastname: Shrinidhi
authors.affiliation: Tutor, Department of Physiology, A.J. Institute of Medical Sciences , Kuntikana, Mangalore-575004, Karnataka, India .
authors.forename: Mohamedi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Begum
authors.affiliation: Tutor, Department of Biochemistry, A.J. Institute of Medical Sciences , Kuntikana, Mangalore-575004, Karnataka, India .
authors.forename: Shashikala
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Md
keywords: Diabetes Mellitus type-2; Sialic acid