Chronic diabetes mellitus is associated with high blood sugar and metabolic problems, leading to complications such as nephropathy. A recent study evaluated important biochemical markers in people with diabetic nephropathy (DNp), those with controlled diabetes (DC), individuals with nephropathy but no diabetes (NC), and healthy controls.
The prospective case-control study included 200 participants divided into four groups: DNp, NC, DC, and healthy controls. Researchers analyzed various biochemical parameters—such as glucose, glycated hemoglobin, waste metabolites, proteins, enzymes, electrolytes, and lipids—using an Advia 1800 chemical system analyzer from Siemens.
Results showed that the DNp group had higher fasting glucose levels (178.75 ± 61 mg/dL), glycated hemoglobin (8.13 ± 1.7%), creatinine (5.67 ± 1.8 mg/dL), and blood urea nitrogen (72.02 ± 22.8 mg/dL). These findings suggest poor control of blood sugar and reduced kidney function in this group.
The DC group had elevated random glucose levels at 280 ± 3.1 mg/dL. The NC group showed increased inflammatory markers: C-reactive protein was measured at 6.35 ± 6.3 mg/L and lactate dehydrogenase at 1,216.43 ± 634 U/L.
In terms of lipid profiles, the DC group displayed the highest values for triglycerides (230.67 ± 59 mg/dL), very low-density lipoprotein (48.5 ± 16.5 mg/dL), low-density lipoprotein (107.41 ± 16 mg/dL), and cholesterol (169 ± 19 mg/dL). Statistical analysis used one-way analysis of variance followed by a t-test to identify differences among groups at P < 0.05.
According to the study's findings: "This study demonstrated that patients with DNp exhibited the most severe biochemical disturbances when compared with DC and HC. DNp exhibited markedly elevated glycemic indices and significantly impaired renal function. Inflammatory and enzymatic markers varied across groups, with CRP elevated in DNp and NC, and LDH highest in NC. Lipid profiles displayed distinct patterns among groups, as DC exhibited prominent dyslipidemia with the highest lipid levels, while DNp presented the lowest concentrations."
The results indicate that diabetic nephropathy is linked to more severe biochemical changes than other forms of diabetes or nephropathy alone.
