We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us

Download Mobile App




New Biomarkers for Diabetic Kidney Disease to Improve Diagnosis and Monitoring

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 08 Jan 2024

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a major microvascular complication arising from type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), leading to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). More...

Despite advancements in treatment options such as hyperglycemic and blood pressure control and renin-angiotensin system blockades, DKD continues to prevail at alarming rates. Clinically, DKD often progresses from microalbuminuria to macroalbuminuria, marked by increased levels of albumin in the urine and an initial hyperfiltration phase followed by a gradual decline in renal function. However, variations in clinical presentations and progression rates to ESRD have been noted in recent studies. As scientific understanding evolves, the need for specific biomarkers for DKD has become increasingly vital. Now, an analysis of urinary and exosome proteome profiling by a team of scientists has led to the discovery of biomarkers for DKD, offering the potential for early diagnosis and treatment.

The research carried out by scientists at the Chinese Academy of Sciences (Beijing, China) involved extensive urinary proteomics analysis of 144 patients and urinary exosome proteomics of 44 patients with varying degrees of albuminuria related to T2DM. Utilizing exosomes for biomarker discovery offers several benefits, including minimizing the presence of abundant proteins in urine and enriching a subproteome comprising membrane and cytosolic proteins. Urinary exosomes also provide crucial information from a wide range of epithelial origins, reflecting physiological or pathological processes in virtually all epithelial cells exposed to the urinary space. Additionally, proteomic analysis of urinary exosomes can identify proteins specifically linked to certain kidney diseases, as was the case in this study.

The study analyzed urine samples from 144 clinical patients, including 19 healthy controls and 125 DM patients. The diabetic group was further categorized into three stages based on albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) values. The research highlighted the dynamic nature of urinary and exosome proteomes in T2DM patients at different albuminuria stages. Proteins were grouped into six clusters based on their expression patterns throughout DKD progression. The study observed a significant decrease in proteins associated with glycolytic and ubiquitination processes from healthy controls to early DM stages, with a gradual decrease continuing to the late DM stages. Conversely, proteins involved in lipid transport and cholesterol esterification progressively increased, peaking at the most advanced stage. Proteins involved in carbohydrate metabolic processes showed high expression in early DM patients, decreasing as DKD progressed. Additionally, the study identified and validated potential biomarkers for DKD diagnosis or disease monitoring, such as SERPINA1 and TF, in another cohort of diabetic urine samples with varying DKD degrees. Thus, this research has provided a deeper understanding of the biomarkers associated with renal disease, fueling hopes for improved early-stage treatments and management strategies for DKD.

Related Links:
Chinese Academy of Sciences


Gold Member
Quality Control Material
iPLEX Pro Exome QC Panel
Portable Electronic Pipette
Mini 96
New
Clinical Chemistry System
P780
Autoimmune Disease Diagnostic
Chorus ds-DNA-G
Read the full article by registering today, it's FREE! It's Free!
Register now for FREE to LabMedica.com and get access to news and events that shape the world of Clinical Laboratory Medicine.
  • Free digital version edition of LabMedica International sent by email on regular basis
  • Free print version of LabMedica International magazine (available only outside USA and Canada).
  • Free and unlimited access to back issues of LabMedica International in digital format
  • Free LabMedica International Newsletter sent every week containing the latest news
  • Free breaking news sent via email
  • Free access to Events Calendar
  • Free access to LinkXpress new product services
  • REGISTRATION IS FREE AND EASY!
Click here to Register








Channels

Hematology

view channel
Image: New research points to protecting blood during radiation therapy (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

Pioneering Model Measures Radiation Exposure in Blood for Precise Cancer Treatments

Scientists have long focused on protecting organs near tumors during radiotherapy, but blood — a vital, circulating tissue — has largely been excluded from dose calculations. Each blood cell passing through... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: The test could streamline clinical decision-making by identifying ideal candidates for immunotherapy upfront (Xiao, Y. et al. Cancer Biology & Medicine July 2025, 20250038)

Blood Test Predicts Immunotherapy Efficacy in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype lacking targeted therapies, making immunotherapy a promising yet unpredictable option. Current biomarkers such as PD-L1 expression or tumor... Read more

Technology

view channel
Image: The sensor can help diagnose diabetes and prediabetes on-site in a few minutes using just a breath sample (Photo courtesy of Larry Cheng/Penn State)

Graphene-Based Sensor Uses Breath Sample to Identify Diabetes and Prediabetes in Minutes

About 37 million U.S. adults live with diabetes, and one in five is unaware of their condition. Diagnosing diabetes often requires blood draws or lab visits, which are costly and inconvenient.... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2025 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.