Can Visfatin be Considered as a Diagnostic Marker for Diabetic Nephropathy?

ABSTRACT

Purpose: In this study, we investigated the role of visfatin in early diabetic nephropathy and its association with oxidative stress, paraoxonase (PON) and arylesterase.
Material and Method: Twenty five diabetic patients with microalbuminuria, 25 diabetic patients with normoalbuminuria and 25 healthy individuals were enrolled in the study. Serum total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), PON, arylesterase, free sulfhydryl (SH) group, lipid hydroperoxide (LOOH) and visfatin levels were measured. The ratio of TOS to TAS was accepted as oxidative stress index (OSI).
Results: Serum visfatin levels were higher in microalbuminuric diabetic group compared to that in normoalbuminuric diabetic group and healthy control group (p<0.001, for each). Visfatin levels in normoalbuminuric diabetic group were significantly higher compared to healthy control group (p=0.001). Correlation analysis yielded that plasma visfatin levels were negatively correlated with SH, arylesterase, and PON levels (r=-0.444, p<0.001; r=-0.340, p=0.004; r=-0.322, p=0.006, respectively) and that they had a positive correlation with LOOH and OSI levels (r=0.252, p=0.034; r=0.622, p<0.001; respectively). According to logistic regression analysis model, the increased levels of OSI and serum visfatin OSI index clarify 51% of developing microalbuminuria in diabetic patients (sensitivity 78.3% and specificity 83.7%).
Discussion: The data of this study reveal that increased serum levels of visfatin have a role in the development of diabetic nephropathy. Visfatin has a significant correlation with oxidative stress.