Retinol Binding Protein-4 and Procollagen III N-Terminal Peptide as Indicators of Nephropathy in Type 2 Diabetic Patients

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the correlation between the parameter levels (Retinol Binding Protein-4 and Procollagen III N-Terminal Peptide) and multiple risk factors including resistant to insulin, HbA1c, overweight, obesity, eGFR and Urine albumin to creatinine ratio with linking these results with those of individuals in good health.
Study Design: Case control study
Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the College of Medicine, Al-Nahrain University, Baghdad-Iraq from 1st March 2024 to 31st October 2024.
Methods: One hundred and thirty five 135 individuals were enrolled. The study population consisted of 45 healthy persons serving as a control group, 40 persons type-2 diabetes mellitus with normoalbuminuria, and 50 persons with T2DM nephropathy presenting microalbuminuria and macroalbuminuria.
Results: Both procollagen III N-terminal peptide and retinol binding protein- 4 levels were markedly increased in diabetic nephropathy. The levels in the blood of retinol binding protein-4 among patients along with type-2 diabetic nephropathy was markedly elevated compared to healthy individuals and type 2 diabetes patients without nephropathy. (p < 0.001). Moreover, those with type-2 diabetes that shows nephropathy demonstrated a significantly elevated serum procollagen III N-terminal peptide value compared to those without nephropathy, individuals with control subjects (p < 0.001).
Conclusion: Procollagen III N-terminal peptide and Retinol binding protein- 4 levels in diabetic nephropathy increase in proportion to the disease's progression. Moreover, individuals with elevated Retinol binding protein-4 levels and type-2 diabetes are at a higher risk of suffering from nephropathy previous in their illness course.