Serum mindin, nephrin and podocalyxin levels in patients with type 1 diabetes: Are these new markers to detect the development of nephropathy?

Abstract

Introduction: Type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic disease that develops as a result of absolute insulin deficiency. DM is accompanied by chronic complications which are associated with a high risk of morbidity and mortality. In the present study, we aimed to understand whether serum mindin, nephrin (NPHS1) and podocalyxin (PODXL) are useful biomarkers in the determination of nephropathy in patients with type 1 DM and to understand any correlation between serum mindin, PODXL, nephrin levels and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels and 24 hour urinary albumin excretion of patients. We investigated serum PODXL, nephrin and mindin levels in pediatric patients with type 1 DM.Materials and Methods: Forty patients with type 1 DM along with controls, all in the pubertal stage, were included in the study. Serum mindin, nephrin and PODXL levels were measured using commercial ELISA kits. In the DM group, the mean age, gender distribution, follow-up time, and HbA1c levels were evaluated.Results: There was no significant difference in the serum mindin levels between the DM and control groups (p=0.053). When the serum nephrin levels were compared between the two groups, the nephrin levels were significantly lower in the DM group (p=0.016). The serum PODXL levels of the DM group were significantly lower when compared to the control group (p=0.014).Conclusion: We found that the blood levels of nephrin, PODXL were decreased in the DM group. These markers can be excreted in urine and may be sensitive markers for DM. This is the first study in the literature to evaluate PODXL, mindin, nephrin biomarkers in pediatric patients with type 1 DM.