Clinical markers and some trace elements in patients with type-2 diabetic nephropathy : Impact of insulin resistance

INTRODUCTION : Diabetic Nephropathy (DN) is the leading reason of all excess death-rate over type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with microalbuminuria, macroalbuminuria or end-stage renal disease. This work was aimed to estimate insulin resistance (IR) effect on some markers and trace elements (Selenium, Zinc, Magnesium) levels for early predicting of DN in T2DM patients. METHODS : We conducted a cross-sectional clinical study. Blood and urine samples were collected from 63 subjects with T2DM and 33 healthy controls to assess glucose, insulin, IR, urea, creatinine, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), creatinine clearance (CrCl), homocysteine (Hcy), fructosamine (FA), cystatin C (CysC), albumin (Alb), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), 8-hydroxy-2`-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and trace elements levels. Data were collected using a questionnaire that was filled out by specialized doctors. RESULTS : Compared with controls, the results revealed that T2DM patients with or without DN had significant increases in glucose, insulin, IR, urea, creatinine, Hcy, FA, CysC, Alb, NGAL and 8-OHdG and significant decreases in GFR, CrCl and trace elements levels. Body mass index (BMI) had no changes. CONCLUSION : Uncontrolled T2DM was associated with BMI, IR and physical activity in which elevated Hcy, FA, CysC, Alb, NGAL and 8-OHdG levels and decreased trace elements levels may be used as early clinical markers of DN.