Urinary and Serum Amino Acids May Be Associated with Podocyte, Proximal Tubule, and Renal Endothelial Injury in Early Diabetic Kidney Disease in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients

<b>Background/Objectives</b>: The pathogenesis of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is complex and multifactorial. Because of its complications and reduced number of diagnostic biomarkers, it is important to explore new biomarkers with possible roles in the early diagnosis of DKD. Our study...

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Main Authors: Maria Mogos, Oana Milas, Carmen Socaciu, Andreea Iulia Socaciu, Adrian Vlad, Florica Gadalean, Flaviu Bob, Octavian Marius Cretu, Anca Suteanu-Simulescu, Mihaela Glavan, Lavinia Balint, Silvia Ienciu, Iuliana-Lavinia Iancu, Dragos Catalin Jianu, Sorin Ursoniu, Ligia Petrica
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Biomedicines
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/13/3/675
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author Maria Mogos
Oana Milas
Carmen Socaciu
Andreea Iulia Socaciu
Adrian Vlad
Florica Gadalean
Flaviu Bob
Octavian Marius Cretu
Anca Suteanu-Simulescu
Mihaela Glavan
Lavinia Balint
Silvia Ienciu
Iuliana-Lavinia Iancu
Dragos Catalin Jianu
Sorin Ursoniu
Ligia Petrica
author_facet Maria Mogos
Oana Milas
Carmen Socaciu
Andreea Iulia Socaciu
Adrian Vlad
Florica Gadalean
Flaviu Bob
Octavian Marius Cretu
Anca Suteanu-Simulescu
Mihaela Glavan
Lavinia Balint
Silvia Ienciu
Iuliana-Lavinia Iancu
Dragos Catalin Jianu
Sorin Ursoniu
Ligia Petrica
author_sort Maria Mogos
collection DOAJ
description <b>Background/Objectives</b>: The pathogenesis of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is complex and multifactorial. Because of its complications and reduced number of diagnostic biomarkers, it is important to explore new biomarkers with possible roles in the early diagnosis of DKD. Our study aims to investigate the pattern of previously identified metabolites and their association with biomarkers of endothelial dysfunction, proximal tubule (PT) dysfunction, and podocyte injury. <b>Methods</b>: A total of 110 participants, comprising 20 healthy individuals and 90 patients divided in three groups were enrolled in the study: normoalbuminuria, microalbuminuria, and macroalbuminuria. Untargeted and targeted metabolomic methods were employed to assess urinary and serum biomarkers, as well as indicators of endothelial dysfunction, podocyte damage, and PT dysfunction through ELISA techniques. <b>Results</b>: Our research uncovered specific metabolites that exhibit varying levels across different sub-groups. Notably, glycine serves as a distinguishing factor between group C and the normoalbuminuric group. Furthermore, glycine is correlated with endothelial markers, especially VCAM. We observed a gradual decrease in kynurenic acid levels from group C to group P3; this biomarker also demonstrates an inverse relationship with both p-selectin and VCAM. Additionally, tryptophan levels decline progressively from group C to group P3, accompanied by a negative correlation with p-selectin and VCAM. Urinary tiglylglycine also differentiates among the patient groups, with concentrations decreasing as the condition worsens. It shows a strong positive correlation with nephrin, podocalyxin, KIM1, and NAG. <b>Conclusions</b>: In conclusion, glycine, tiglylglycine, kynurenic acid and tryptophan may be considered putative biomarkers for early diagnosis of DKD and T2DM progression.
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spelling doaj-art-85270b0ac031433b878565279600a3be2025-08-20T02:11:15ZengMDPI AGBiomedicines2227-90592025-03-0113367510.3390/biomedicines13030675Urinary and Serum Amino Acids May Be Associated with Podocyte, Proximal Tubule, and Renal Endothelial Injury in Early Diabetic Kidney Disease in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus PatientsMaria Mogos0Oana Milas1Carmen Socaciu2Andreea Iulia Socaciu3Adrian Vlad4Florica Gadalean5Flaviu Bob6Octavian Marius Cretu7Anca Suteanu-Simulescu8Mihaela Glavan9Lavinia Balint10Silvia Ienciu11Iuliana-Lavinia Iancu12Dragos Catalin Jianu13Sorin Ursoniu14Ligia Petrica15Department of Internal Medicine II—Division of Nephrology, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Sq. No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, RomaniaDepartment of Internal Medicine II—Division of Nephrology, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Sq. No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, RomaniaCentre for Molecular Research in Nephrology and Vascular Disease, Faculty of Medicine, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Sq. No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, RomaniaDepartment of Occupational Health, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Iuliu Haţieganu”, Str. Victor Babes 8, 400347 Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaCounty Emergency Hospital Timisoara, 300723 Timisoara, RomaniaDepartment of Internal Medicine II—Division of Nephrology, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Sq. No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, RomaniaDepartment of Internal Medicine II—Division of Nephrology, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Sq. No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, RomaniaDepartment of Surgery I–Division of Surgical Semiology I, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Sq. No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, RomaniaDepartment of Internal Medicine II—Division of Nephrology, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Sq. No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, RomaniaDepartment of Internal Medicine II—Division of Nephrology, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Sq. No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, RomaniaDepartment of Internal Medicine II—Division of Nephrology, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Sq. No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, RomaniaDepartment of Internal Medicine II—Division of Nephrology, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Sq. No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, RomaniaDepartment of Internal Medicine II—Division of Nephrology, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Sq. No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, RomaniaCounty Emergency Hospital Timisoara, 300723 Timisoara, RomaniaCentre for Molecular Research in Nephrology and Vascular Disease, Faculty of Medicine, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Sq. No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, RomaniaDepartment of Internal Medicine II—Division of Nephrology, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Sq. No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania<b>Background/Objectives</b>: The pathogenesis of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is complex and multifactorial. Because of its complications and reduced number of diagnostic biomarkers, it is important to explore new biomarkers with possible roles in the early diagnosis of DKD. Our study aims to investigate the pattern of previously identified metabolites and their association with biomarkers of endothelial dysfunction, proximal tubule (PT) dysfunction, and podocyte injury. <b>Methods</b>: A total of 110 participants, comprising 20 healthy individuals and 90 patients divided in three groups were enrolled in the study: normoalbuminuria, microalbuminuria, and macroalbuminuria. Untargeted and targeted metabolomic methods were employed to assess urinary and serum biomarkers, as well as indicators of endothelial dysfunction, podocyte damage, and PT dysfunction through ELISA techniques. <b>Results</b>: Our research uncovered specific metabolites that exhibit varying levels across different sub-groups. Notably, glycine serves as a distinguishing factor between group C and the normoalbuminuric group. Furthermore, glycine is correlated with endothelial markers, especially VCAM. We observed a gradual decrease in kynurenic acid levels from group C to group P3; this biomarker also demonstrates an inverse relationship with both p-selectin and VCAM. Additionally, tryptophan levels decline progressively from group C to group P3, accompanied by a negative correlation with p-selectin and VCAM. Urinary tiglylglycine also differentiates among the patient groups, with concentrations decreasing as the condition worsens. It shows a strong positive correlation with nephrin, podocalyxin, KIM1, and NAG. <b>Conclusions</b>: In conclusion, glycine, tiglylglycine, kynurenic acid and tryptophan may be considered putative biomarkers for early diagnosis of DKD and T2DM progression.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/13/3/675diabetic kidney diseasebiomarkersmetabolitesendothelial dysfunctionproximal tubule damagepodocyte injury
spellingShingle Maria Mogos
Oana Milas
Carmen Socaciu
Andreea Iulia Socaciu
Adrian Vlad
Florica Gadalean
Flaviu Bob
Octavian Marius Cretu
Anca Suteanu-Simulescu
Mihaela Glavan
Lavinia Balint
Silvia Ienciu
Iuliana-Lavinia Iancu
Dragos Catalin Jianu
Sorin Ursoniu
Ligia Petrica
Urinary and Serum Amino Acids May Be Associated with Podocyte, Proximal Tubule, and Renal Endothelial Injury in Early Diabetic Kidney Disease in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients
Biomedicines
diabetic kidney disease
biomarkers
metabolites
endothelial dysfunction
proximal tubule damage
podocyte injury
title Urinary and Serum Amino Acids May Be Associated with Podocyte, Proximal Tubule, and Renal Endothelial Injury in Early Diabetic Kidney Disease in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients
title_full Urinary and Serum Amino Acids May Be Associated with Podocyte, Proximal Tubule, and Renal Endothelial Injury in Early Diabetic Kidney Disease in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients
title_fullStr Urinary and Serum Amino Acids May Be Associated with Podocyte, Proximal Tubule, and Renal Endothelial Injury in Early Diabetic Kidney Disease in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients
title_full_unstemmed Urinary and Serum Amino Acids May Be Associated with Podocyte, Proximal Tubule, and Renal Endothelial Injury in Early Diabetic Kidney Disease in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients
title_short Urinary and Serum Amino Acids May Be Associated with Podocyte, Proximal Tubule, and Renal Endothelial Injury in Early Diabetic Kidney Disease in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients
title_sort urinary and serum amino acids may be associated with podocyte proximal tubule and renal endothelial injury in early diabetic kidney disease in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients
topic diabetic kidney disease
biomarkers
metabolites
endothelial dysfunction
proximal tubule damage
podocyte injury
url https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/13/3/675
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