Aim

To evaluate vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels in serum and urine among diabetic nephropathy (DN) patients with and without diabetic retinopathy (DR).

Methods

This is a cross-sectional study involving stage 3 and 4 DN patients. A fundus examination was done to determine the DR status. VEGF levels were measured using VEGF-A ELISA kits. Serum creatinine, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and urine protein creatinine index (UPCI) were analyzed per laboratory protocol. Clinical data collected includes height, weight, visual acuity, fundus photo, and macula thickness measured by the optical coherence tomography.

Results

Seventy-nine patients were divided into group 1: DN with no DR (n = 45.57%) and group 2: DN with DR (n = 34.43%). The two groups were equally distributed in age, gender, ethnicity, duration of diabetes, and smoking status. Mean serum VEGF (244.9 pg/mL), urine VEGF (230.4 pg/mL), and HbA1c (7.6%) were significantly higher in group 2. Mean serum to urine VEGF ratios were 0.72 in group 1 and 1.06 in group 2. Poorer renal function was seen in group 2, although the UPCI was not significantly different. There was no significant correlation between serum and urine VEGF levels and between serum VEGF and other parameters.

Conclusion

The occurrence of DR in patients with DN is associated with higher mean serum than urine VEGF levels, as compared to lower serum to urine ratio of VEGF levels in DN patients without DR.

中文翻译：

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糖尿病肾病合并和不合并视网膜病变：尿液和血清血管内皮生长因子的比较

目标

评估糖尿病肾病 (DN) 患者合并和不合并糖尿病视网膜病变 (DR) 血清和尿液中血管内皮生长因子 (VEGF) 的水平。

方法

这是一项横断面研究，涉及 3 期和 4 期 DN 患者。进行眼底检查以确定 DR 状态。使用 VEGF-A ELISA 试剂盒测量 VEGF 水平。根据实验室方案分析血清肌酐、糖化血红蛋白 (HbA1c) 和尿蛋白肌酐指数 (UPCI)。收集的临床数据包括通过光学相干断层扫描测量的身高、体重、视力、眼底照片和黄斑厚度。

结果

79 名患者分为第一组：DN 无 DR ( n = 45.57%) 和第二组：DN 有 DR ( n = 34.43%)。两组在年龄、性别、种族、糖尿病病程和吸烟状况方面均等分布。第 2 组的平均血清 VEGF (244.9 pg/mL)、尿 VEGF (230.4 pg/mL) 和 HbA1c (7.6%) 显着更高。第 1 组的平均血清与尿液 VEGF 比率分别为 0.72 和 1.06。较差在第 2 组中观察到肾功能，尽管 UPCI 没有显着差异。血清和尿液 VEGF 水平之间以及血清 VEGF 与其他参数之间没有显着相关性。

结论

与没有 DR 的 DN 患者中较低的血清与尿液 VEGF 水平比相比，DN 患者中 DR 的发生与平均血清 VEGF 水平高于尿液 VEGF 水平相关。