The Study On Correlativity Between The Serum Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor And Early-stage Diabetic Nephropathy

Objective: To investigate the correlativity between the serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and early-stage diabetic nephropathy, and analyze its clinical significance. Methods: 96 non-obese type 2 diabetes mellitus were enrolled in the study. According to urinary albumin excretion rate (UARE), 45 patients were in diabetic nephropathy group (DN group, UAER 20-200μg/min), and 51 patients were in the other non-diabetic nephropathy group (NDN group, UAER <20μg/min). 45normal adults were enrolled in control group (CN group). The serum levels of VEGF and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) were measured by means of enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and UAER by radio immunoassay (RIA). The serum levels of hemoglobin a₁c (HbA₁c) were tested by immunoassay, and those of total cholesterol (TC) by automatic biochemical analysor. Data was expressed as the mean ± standard deviation (X ± S). Statistical analysis was performed by t test and coefficient of correlativity (r). Result: 1. The serum levels of VEGF in DN group were significantly increased, compared with those of the other two groups (p<0.01), and were positively and significantly correlated with UAER (r=0.69, p<0.01). 2. In DN group, there was a positive correlativity between VEGF and BNP (r=0.68, p<0.01), VEGF was positively correlated with HbA₁c (r=0.66, p<0.01) and TC (r=0.61, p<0.01). 3. The serum levels of BNP in all diabetic patients were significantly higher than those in CN group (p<0.01). The serum levels, of BNP in DN group were significantly increased compared with those in NDN group, and were positively and significantly correlated with UAER (r=0.85, p<0.01).Conclusion: 1. The serum levels of VEGF and BNP in DN group are significantly elevated compared with those of two groups, and they are all positively correlated with UAER. 2. VEGF and BNP may play a certain pathophysiological role in the development and progress of diabetic nephropathy. 3. The serum levels of VEGF and BNP can be the useful signs in diagnosing diabetic nephropathy in its early-stage.