Serum Resistin and Glomerular Filtration Rate in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

BackgroundHigh serum levels of the pro-inflammatory adipokine resistin have been associated with decreased renal function in the general population. The goal of this study was to investigate whether such association is also present among diabetic subjects, who are at increased risk of renal function loss.MethodsThe cross-sectional association between serum resistin levels and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was investigated in 1,560 type 2 diabetic (T2D) patients of European ancestry comprised in two different cohorts: 762 patients from San Giovanni Rotondo (SGR; Italy) and 798 patients from Boston (US).ResultsSerum resistin was inversely associated with eGFR in SGR [β (SE) for one SD of resistin increment = -1.01 (0.70) ml/min/1.73m², p = 0.019] and in Boston [β (SE) = -5.31 (0.74) ml/min/1.73m², p < 0.001] samples, as well as in the two studies combined [β (SE) = -3.42 (0.52) ml/min/1.73m², p < 0.001]. The association was unaffected by adjustment for smoking habits, BMI, waist circumference, diabetes duration, HbA1c, insulin treatment, hypertension and lipid-lowering therapy: β (SE) for one SD of resistin increment = -1.07 (0.70), p = 0.02; -5.50 (0.88), p < 0.001; and -2.81 (0.55) ml/min/1.73m², p < .001, in SGR, Boston and the two studies combined, respectively. The association was significantly stronger in men than in women (p for resistin-by-gender interaction = 0.003). For each resistin SD increment, the odds of having eGFR < 0 ml/min/1.73m² increased by 22% (OR = 1.22; 95% CI 1.02–1.44; p = 0.025) in SGR sample, 69% (OR = 1.69; 95% CI 1.38–2.07; p < 0.001) in Boston sample, and 47% (OR = 1.47; 95% CI 1.29–1.68; p < 0.001) in the two studies considered together. Similar associations were observed in the adjusted model: OR 95% CI for each SD resistin increment being 1.23 (1.03–1.46), p = 0.021; 1.52 (1.20–1.92), p < 0.001; 1.33 (1.16–1.53), p < 0.001, in SGR, Boston and the two studies combined, respectively.ConclusionsThis is the first report of an association between high serum resistin and low eGFR in patients with T2D of European ancestry.     

冠心病及糖尿病并发冠心病患者脂联素的变化

目的:探讨冠心病及Ⅱ型精尿病并发冠心病患者血清脂联素水平的变化及临床意义.方法:用酶联免疫法分别测定101例冠心病患者和33例非冠心病患者、86例冠脉造影阳性患者和15例冠脉造影阴性患者的血清脂联素水平,及糖尿病或糖耐量受损患者中,54例并发冠心病者和13例未并发冠心病者的血清脂联素水平.结果:冠心病和冠脉造影阳性患者的血清脂联素水平分别为3.9985±0.2147mg/L和3.9192±0.2182mg/L,糖尿病或糖耐量受损并发冠心病患者的血清脂联素水平为3.9582±0.1868mg/L,均较相应对照组下降(P<0.05).结论:血清脂联素水平下降可能作为冠心病辅助诊断和病变严重程度的新指标,同时,它也可能成为糖尿病是否并发冠心病的新预测指标,有潜在的临床应用价值.     

Association between Serum Bilirubin and Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate among Elderly Persons

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major public health problem. However, few studies have examined the significance of serum bilirubin as a risk factor for the development of CKD in the general Japanese population. The subjects comprised 413 men (mean age: 79±9 years; (range, 60–100 years) and 637 women (mean age: 81±8 years; range, 60–106 years) who visited the medical department of Seiyo Municipal Nomura Hospital. We examined the relationship between increased serum bilirubin and renal function that was evaluated by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) using CKD-EPI equations modified by a Japanese coefficient. Stepwise multiple regression analysis with eGFR as the objective variable, and adjusted risk factors as the explanatory variables, showed that serum bilirubin (β = 0.11, P<0.001) was significantly and independently associated with eGFR, in addition to gender, age, prevalence of antihypertensive medication, triglycerides, prevalence of antidiabetic medication, and serum uric acid. Compared with stages 1+2 (eGFR ≥60.0 ml/min/1.73 m²), mean multivariate-adjusted odds ratio {95% (confidence interval (CI)} for hypobilirubinemia (first quartile, <0.52 mg/dL) was 3.52 (range: 1.88–6.59). Next, to control potential confounding factors, data were further stratified by gender, age, medication (antihypertensive, antidyslipidemic, and antidiabetic agents), and prevalence of cardiovascular disease. The standardized coefficient for eGFR was significant in both groups, and there was no interaction between the groups. Our data demonstrated an independent positive association between serum bilirubin and eGFR in both genders. Low serum bilirubin level would be useful as a potential risk factor for renal function.     

Factors Other than the Glomerular Filtration Rate That Determine the Serum Beta-2-Microglobulin Level

Background

β2-microglobulin has been increasingly investigated as a diagnostic marker of kidney function and a prognostic marker of adverse outcomes. To date, non-renal determinants of β2-microglobulin levels have not been well described. Non-renal determinants are important for the interpretation and appraisal of the diagnostic and prognostic value of any endogenous kidney function marker.

Methods

This cross-sectional analysis was performed within the framework of the www.seniorlabor.ch study, which includes subjectively healthy individuals aged ≥60 years. Factors known or suspected to have a non-renal association with kidney function markers were investigated for a non-renal association with serum β2-microglobulin. As a marker of kidney function, the Berlin Initiative Study equation 2 for the estimation of the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR_BIS2) in the elderly was employed.

Results

A total of 1302 participants (714 females and 588 males) were enrolled in the study. The use of a multivariate regression model adjusting for age, gender and kidney function (eGFR_BIS2) revealed age, male gender, and C-reactive protein level to be positively associated with β2-microglobulin levels. In addition, there was an inverse non-renal relationship between systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol and current smoking status. No association with markers of diabetes mellitus, body stature, nutritional risk, thyroid function or calcium and phosphate levels was observed.

Conclusions

Serum β2-microglobulin levels in elderly subjects are related to several non-renal factors. These non-renal factors are not congruent to those known from other markers (i.e. cystatin C and creatinine) and remind of classical cardiovascular risk factors.     

Serum Levels of Carcinoembryonic Antigen in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

Objective: To investigate whether serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels are associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c).Methods: A comparative, cross-sectional, observational study was conducted at Jordan University Hospital, Amman, Jordan, on 282 adult subjects from March 2012 to June 2015. Subjects were classified into 2 groups: T2DM subjects (n = 168) and a healthy comparison group (n = 114). Subjects with any condition known to be associated with elevated CEA levels were excluded. HbA1c and serum CEA levels were measured, and body mass index (BMI) was determined.Results: Subjects with T2DM had significantly higher mean serum CEA than controls (2.4 ± 1.5 vs. 1.5 ± 1.2 ng/mL, P<.0001). Sex did not correlate with CEA levels, while age (Spearman's rho [ρ] = 0.18, P =.002) and HbA1c (ρ = 0.56, P<.0001) did; however, age no longer correlated after correcting for diabetic status. HbA1c was the only variable shown to correlate with CEA in a stepwise linear regression (r = 0.37, P<.001).Conclusion: We observed a statistically significant association between elevated CEA and T2DM, despite average CEA values for both groups being within the reference range. In addition, serum CEA levels correlated positively with HbA1c values.Abbreviations:ADA = American Diabetes AssociationBMI = body mass indexCA 19-9 = carbohydrate antigen 19-9CEA = carcinoembryonic antigenCRP = C-reactive proteinDM = diabetes mellitusHbA1c = glycated hemoglobinJUH = Jordan University HospitalT2DM = type 2 diabetes mellitusρ = Spearman's correlation coefficient     

Long-Term Follow-Up of Proteinuria and Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate in HIV-Infected Patients with Tubular Proteinuria

Objective

The objective of this prospective observational study was to describe the evolution of tubular proteinuria detected in HIV-infected patients, and to evaluate the impact of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) discontinuation.

Methods

Proteinuria and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were followed during a median duration of 32 months, in 81 HIV-infected patients with tubular proteinuria and eGFR ≥ 60 ml/min/1.73 m² (determined using the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology (CKD-EPI) Collaboration equation). Tubular proteinuria was defined by urine protein to creatinine ratio (uPCR) ≥200 mg/g and albumin to protein ratio (uAPR) <0.4.

Results

Twenty per cent of patients had persistence of tubular proteinuria: TDF continuation was the main factor associated with this persistence [OR 9.0; 95%CI: 1.9–41.4; p = 0.01]. Among the 23 patients who discontinued TDF, uPCR returned below the threshold of 200 mg/g in 11 patients. Overall, eGFR decreased with a mean rate of decline of 3.8 ml/min/1.73m²/year. The decline in eGFR was lesser after discontinuation of TDF (5.8 ml/min/1.73m²/year during TDF exposure versus 3 ml/min/1.73m²/year after TDF discontinuation; p = 0.01).

Conclusions

The continuation of TDF was the main factor associated with the persistence of proteinuria. Moreover, proteinuria was normalized in only half of the patients who discontinued TDF. The clinical significance of TDF-related low level of proteinuria as a factor associated with renal disease progression and bone loss remains poorly understood.     

Effect of Proteinuria and Glomerular Filtration Rate on Renal Outcome in Patients with Biopsy-Proven Benign Nephrosclerosis

Background

Reduced estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and proteinuria are risk factors for end-stage renal disease (ESRD), of which benign nephrosclerosis is a common cause. However, few biopsy-based studies have assessed these associations.

Methods

We performed retrospective cohort study of 182 Japanese patients who underwent renal biopsy from June 1985 through March 2014 and who were diagnosed with benign nephrosclerosis. Competing risk regression analyses were used to investigate the effect of eGFR and proteinuria levels at the time of renal biopsy on the risk for renal events (ESRD or a 50% decline in eGFR from baseline).

Results

During a median 5.8-year follow-up, 63 (34.6%) patients experienced renal events. The incidence of renal events increased with lower baseline eGFR and greater baseline proteinuria levels. After adjustment for baseline covariates, lower eGFR levels (subhazard ratios [SHRs], 1.30; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01–1.67, per 10 mL/min/1.73 m²) and higher proteinuria levels (SHR, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.23–1.87, per 1.0 g/day) at the time of renal biopsy were associated independently with higher risk for renal events. Lower levels of serum albumin (SHR, 2.07; 95% CI, 1.20–3.55 per 1.0 g/dL) were also associated with renal events. Patients with both eGFR <30 mL/min/1.73 m² and proteinuria ≥0.5 g/day had a 26.7-fold higher risk (95% CI, 3.97–179.4) of renal events than patients with both eGFR ≥60 mL/min/1.73 m² and proteinuria <0.5 g/day.

Conclusions

Reduced eGFR and increased proteinuria as well as lower serum albumin at the time of renal biopsy are independent risk factors for renal events among patients with biopsy-proven benign nephrosclerosis.     

Maternal Glomerular Filtration Rate in Pregnancy and Fetal Size

BackgroundThe relationship of maternal glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in pregnancy to fetal size needs to be better characterized as it impacts an ongoing debate about confounding effect of maternal GFR in investigations of important environmental contaminants. We aimed to characterize the size of the association between maternal GFR and infant birth weight.ResultsMaternal GFR-CG (β: 0.73 g/ml/min, p = 0.04) and GFR-MDRD (β: 0.83 g/ml/min, p = 0.04) were associated with infant birth weight in models adjusted for maternal weight in kilograms, preeclampsia, and gestational age at delivery (days). Partial correlation coefficients for the association between infant birth weight and GFR were 0.07 for both formulas. Although the birth weight-GFR association was stronger among the women with preeclampsia, the difference from women without preeclampsia was not statistically significant.ConclusionThese data support an association between GFR during pregnancy and infant birth weight, and indicate that GFR may confound selected epidemiologic associations.     

Association of Adiponectin Gene Polymorphism with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Taiwanese Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

Objective

Patients with type 2 diabetes and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) have a higher prevalence of cardiovascular diseases. In this study we investigated the frequency of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of several candidate genes associated with NAFLD in Taiwanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and NAFLD and in those with DM but without fatty liver disease.

Methods

We enrolled 350 patients with type 2 DM and NAFLD and 209 patients with DM but without NAFLD. Body mass index (BMI), % body fat (% BF), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), high molecular weight (HMW) isoform of adiponectin, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and triglyceride (TG) levels were measured. Thirteen SNPs in 5 genes (adiponectin, leptin, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha, adiponutrin/patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing protein 3 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ co-activator 1α ) were measured.

Results

Only adiponectin rs266729 polymorphism was associated with susceptibility to NAFLD (p = 0.001). Subgroup analysis revealed that the proportion of subjects with homozygous genotype GG was higher in patients with NAFLD (31%) than in controls (11%) and that the proportions of heterozygous CG and homozygous CC were higher in controls (37% and 52%, respectively) than in patients with NAFLD (33% and 36%, respectively). Patients with NAFLD carrying the GG genotype of rs266729 showed significantly lower serum HMW adiponectin levels than patients carrying the GC or CC genotype (3.75±0.37 vs. 3.99±0.66 vs. 4.79±0.58 μg/ml, p< 0.001). Body fat and serum HMW adiponectin levels were the strongest predictors of developing NAFLD (p < 0.001 and 0.004, respectively).

Conclusions

In patients with type 2 diabetes gene polymorphism of adiponectin rs266729 is associated with risk of NAFLD. G allele of rs266729 is associated with hypoadiponectinemia. Low serum adiponectin level may precipitate liver steatosis in patients with type 2 diabetes.     

血清同型半胱氨酸、脂联素、高敏C反应蛋白水平与颈动脉内膜中层厚度在老年2型糖尿病合并脑梗死患者中的意义

目的：观察血清同型半胱氨酸（Hcy）、脂联素（APN）、高敏C反应蛋白（hs．CRP）水平与颈动脉内膜中层厚度（1MT）在老年2型糖尿病合并脑梗死患者中的意义。方法：选择2008年5月至2012年5月在我院就诊的2型糖尿病患者218例,按照是否合并脑梗死分为糖尿病伴脑梗死组（105例）和单纯糖尿病组（113例）。选择同期健康体检者30例为健康对照组。观察三组血清Hcy、APN、hs—CRP和IMT的水平变化。结果：糖尿病伴脑梗死组和单纯糖尿病组的血清Hcy、hs—CRP和IMT的水平均较正常对照组明显提高（P〈0．01）,糖尿病伴脑梗死组以上指标显著高于单纯糖尿病组（P〈0．01）;而糖尿病伴脑梗死组和单纯糖尿病组的血清APN的水平较正常对照组明显降低（P〈0．01）,糖尿病伴脑梗死组血清APN的水平较单纯糖尿病组显著降低（P〈0．01）。血清Hcy和hs—CRP水平随着1MT的严重程度增加而升高（P〈0．01）,而APN水平随着IMT严重程度升高而降低（P〈0．01）。结论：糖尿病伴脑梗死的患者大血管病变较单纯糖尿病患者更为严重,颈动脉IMT与Hcy和hs—cRP呈正相关,而与APN呈负相关。     

Determining Glomerular Filtration Rate in Homozygous Sickle Cell Disease: Utility of Serum Creatinine Based Estimating Equations

Background

Various estimating equations have been developed to estimate glomerular filtration rate (GFR) for use in clinical practice. However, the unique renal physiological and pathological processes that occur in sickle cell disease (SCD) may invalidate these estimates in this patient population. This study aims to compare GFR estimated using common existing GFR predictive equations to actual measured GFR in persons with homozygous SCD. If the existing equations perform poorly, we propose to develop a new estimating equation for use in persons with SCD.

Methods

98 patients with the homozygous SS disease (55 females: 43 males; mean age 34±2.3 years) had serum measurements of creatinine, as well as had GFR measured using ^99mTc-DTPA nuclear renal scan. GFR was estimated using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD), Cockcroft-Gault (CG), and the serum creatinine based CKD-EPI equations. The Bland-Altman limit of agreement method was used to determine agreement between measured and estimated GFR values. A SCD-specific estimating equation for GFR (JSCCS-GFR equation) was generated by means of multiple regression via backward elimination.

Results

The mean measured GFR±SD was 94.9±27.4 mls/min/1.73 m² BSA, with a range of 6.4–159.0 mls/min/1.73 m². The MDRD and CG equations both overestimated GFR, with the agreement worsening with higher GFR values. The serum creatinine based CKD-EPI equation performed relatively well, but with a systematic bias of about 45 mls/min. The new equation developed resulted in a better fit to our sickle cell disease data than the MDRD equation.

Conclusion

Current estimating equations, other than the CKD-EPI equation, do not perform very accurately in persons with homozygous SS disease. A fairly accurate estimating equation, suitable for persons with GFR >60 mls/min/1.73 m² has been developed from our dataset and validated within a simulated dataset.     

Impact of Thyroid Function on Serum Cystatin C and Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate: A Cross-Sectional Study

ObjectiveTo determine the relationship between thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and cystatin C (CysC) and estimated glomerular filtration rate calculated by Cys^C (e^GFRCysC).MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study including 8,126 male participants. Serum creatinine (Cr), CysC, eGFR calculated by Cr (eGFR_Cr), and eGFR_CysC were determined and compared in euthyroid and subclinical thyroid dysfunction patients. Relationships between TSH and Cr, cystatin C, eGFR_Cr, and eGFR_CysC were assessed by linear and quadratic trend analyses. Odds ratios (ORs) of chronic kidney disease (CKD; eGFR<60 mL/min/1.73m²) were calculated according to categories of thyroid function using TSH values of 2.01-3.00 mIU/L as a reference.ResultsSerum CysC level was significantly elevated, and eGFR_CysC was significantly reduced in both sub-clinical hypothyroidism and subclinical hyperthyroidism. TSH was negatively and linearly associated with Cr and eGFR_Cr (P<.001). Quadratic trends were found between TSH and cystatin C or eGFR_CysC (P<.001). Compared with individuals with TSH of 2.01-3.00 mIU/L, the prevalence of CKD_CysC was significantly higher in subjects with TSH<0.40 mIU/L, 3.01-4.00 mIU/L, and 4.01-7.00 mIU/L, while the prevalence of CKD_Cr was only significantly higher in subjects with TSH>7.0 mIU/L.ConclusionDespite only studying male subjects and using eGFR rather than standard GFR, we conclude that thyroid function differentially affects serum CysC and Cr concentrations. Subclinical hypothyroidism and subclinical hyperthyroidism are both associated with elevated CysC, reduced eGFR_CysC, and higher prevalence of CKD_CysC. Assessment of renal function with CysC should be avoided in patients with thyroid dysfunction. (Endocr Pract. 2013;19:397-403)     

Serum Vascular Adhesion Protein-1 Predicts End-Stage Renal Disease in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

Background

Diabetes is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) worldwide. Vascular adhesion protein-1 (VAP-1) participates in inflammation and catalyzes the deamination of primary amines into aldehydes, hydrogen peroxide, and ammonia, both of which are involved in the pathogenesis of diabetic complications. We have shown that serum VAP-1 is higher in patients with diabetes and in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), and can predict cardiovascular mortality in subjects with diabetes. In this study, we investigated if serum VAP-1 can predict ESRD in diabetic subjects.

Methods

In this prospective cohort study, a total of 604 type 2 diabetic subjects were enrolled between 1996 to 2003 at National Taiwan University Hospital, Taiwan, and were followed for a median of 12.36 years. The development of ESRD was ascertained by linking our database with the nationally comprehensive Taiwan Society Nephrology registry. Serum VAP-1 concentrations at enrollment were measured by time-resolved immunofluorometric assay.

Results

Subjects with serum VAP-1 in the highest tertile had the highest incidence of ESRD (p<0.001). Every 1-SD increase in serum VAP-1 was associated with a hazard ratio of 1.55 (95%CI 1.12–2.14, p<0.01) for the risk of ESRD, adjusted for smoking, history of cardiovascular disease, body mass index, hypertension, HbA1c, duration of diabetes, total cholesterol, use of statins, ankle-brachial index, estimated GFR, and proteinuria. We developed a risk score comprising serum VAP-1, HbA1c, estimated GFR, and proteinuria, which could predict ESRD with good performance (area under the ROC curve = 0.9406, 95%CI 0.8871–0.9941, sensitivity = 77.3%, and specificity = 92.8%). We also developed an algorithm based on the stage of CKD and a risk score including serum VAP-1, which can stratify these subjects into 3 categories with an ESRD risk of 0.101%/year, 0.131%/year, and 2.427%/year, respectively.

Conclusions

In conclusion, serum VAP-1 can predict ESRD and is a useful biomarker to improve risk stratification in type 2 diabetic subjects.     

肥胖2型糖尿病患者血清脂联素、E-选择素、可溶性细胞黏附因子-1的表达及其与氧化应激的关系

目的:研究肥胖2型糖尿病患者血清脂联素、E-选择素、可溶性细胞黏附因子-1的表达及其与氧化应激的关系。方法:选择2015年06月至2017年01月在我院治疗的2型糖尿病患者72名,根据患者体重和腰围分为观察组与对照组,观察组为肥胖2型糖尿病患者,对照组为非肥胖2型糖尿病患者。分析两组患者临床指标检测结果及与氧化应激的相关性。结果:观察组血清脂联素(Adiponectin,ADPN)、超氧化物歧化酶(Superoxide Dismutase,SOD)水平[(6.05±1.01)μg/ml vs(7.83±1.25)μg/ml、(72.15±12.04)NU/ml vs(87.66±14.53) NU/ml]均明显低于对照组水平,且观察组E-选择素(Human soluble E-selectin, s E-selectin)、丙二醛(Malondialdehyde; malonic dialdehyde; Propanedial, MDA)、可溶性血管细胞黏附因子-1 (Human soluble vasccular cell adhesion molecule 1, s VCAM-1)、HOMA-胰岛素抵抗指数(Homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance, HOMA-IR)水平[(66.81±11.10)μg/L vs (55.22±9.05)μg/L、(5.68±0.92)μmol/L vs (4.15±0.62)μmol/L、(1.84±0.25) mg/L vs (1.70±0.24) mg/L、(4.52±1.88) vs(2.23±1.15)]均明显高于对照组(P0.05);观察组患者甘油三酯(Triglyceride,TG)、胆固醇(total cholesterol, TC)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(Low-density lipoprotein, LDL-C)显著高于对照组,高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(High-density lipoprotein cholesterol, HDL-C)、糖化血红蛋白(Hemoglobin A1C, HbA1C)明显低于对照组(P0.05)。MDA与空腹血糖(fasting plasma glucose, FPG)、餐后2小时血糖(2 hours postprandial blood glucose, 2Hpg)、HbA1C、TG、TC、LDL-C、s E-selectin、s VCAM-1、HOMA-IR呈正相关关系(P0.05),与HDL3-C、ADPN、SOD呈负相关关系(P0.05);SOD与FPG、2Hpg、Hb A1C、TG、TC、LDL-C、s E-selectin、s VCAM-1、HOMA-IR、MDA呈负相关关系(P0.05),与HDL3-C、ADPN呈正相关关系(P0.05)。结论:肥胖易导致2型糖尿病患者的血清脂联素下降并抑制胰岛素的分泌,可溶性血管细胞黏附分子-1及E-选择素的高表达与肥胖2型糖尿病患者发生氧化应激有关。     

Improved Glomerular Filtration Rate Estimation by an Artificial Neural Network

Background

Accurate evaluation of glomerular filtration rates (GFRs) is of critical importance in clinical practice. A previous study showed that models based on artificial neural networks (ANNs) could achieve a better performance than traditional equations. However, large-sample cross-sectional surveys have not resolved questions about ANN performance.

Methods

A total of 1,180 patients that had chronic kidney disease (CKD) were enrolled in the development data set, the internal validation data set and the external validation data set. Additional 222 patients that were admitted to two independent institutions were externally validated. Several ANNs were constructed and finally a Back Propagation network optimized by a genetic algorithm (GABP network) was chosen as a superior model, which included six input variables; i.e., serum creatinine, serum urea nitrogen, age, height, weight and gender, and estimated GFR as the one output variable. Performance was then compared with the Cockcroft-Gault equation, the MDRD equations and the CKD-EPI equation.

Results

In the external validation data set, Bland-Altman analysis demonstrated that the precision of the six-variable GABP network was the highest among all of the estimation models; i.e., 46.7 ml/min/1.73 m² vs. a range from 71.3 to 101.7 ml/min/1.73 m², allowing improvement in accuracy (15% accuracy, 49.0%; 30% accuracy, 75.1%; 50% accuracy, 90.5% [P<0.001 for all]) and CKD stage classification (misclassification rate of CKD stage, 32.4% vs. a range from 47.3% to 53.3% [P<0.001 for all]). Furthermore, in the additional external validation data set, precision and accuracy were improved by the six-variable GABP network.

Conclusions

A new ANN model (the six-variable GABP network) for CKD patients was developed that could provide a simple, more accurate and reliable means for the estimation of GFR and stage of CKD than traditional equations. Further validations are needed to assess the ability of the ANN model in diverse populations.     

采用微渗透泵测定清醒大鼠肾小球滤过率

目的分析以荧光素异硫氰酸酯标记的菊粉（FITC．菊粉）作为标记物,通过微渗透泵,在大鼠清醒状态下,采用菊粉尿排泄率方法测定肾小球滤过率的可行性。方法将FITC-菊粉溶解在生理盐水中配成浓度为24％的溶液,经滤过后（浓度降至8％）装在微渗透泵内。大鼠腹腔植入2个盛有上述FITC-菊粉溶液的微渗透泵,随机分成2组（需要收集24h尿量组及无需收集尿量组每组各10只）,分别关在代谢笼内。植泵后第7天,需要收集24h尿量组收集24h尿量及代谢笼上残留的FITC-菊粉,在大鼠清醒状态下采集血液标本;无需收集尿量组仅采集血液标本。分别根据不同的公式计算GFR。GFR的计量单位为mL／min,分别用大鼠体重及双肾重量校正后的单位为mL／min·kg体重和mL／min·g体重。结果需要收集24h尿量和无需收集尿量2种方法计算出来的GFR分别为（2．31±0．33）mL／min和（2．53±0．33）mL／min,P=0．564,两者之间差异无统计学意义;与已发表文献相比大鼠GFR平均值3．24mL／min降低了30％,说明麻醉对GFR有较明显影响,去除麻醉因素的影响后,两者数值相近。结论采用微渗透泵方法,用FITC-菊粉作为标记物,可以比较准确地测定清醒状态下大鼠GFR,尤其是无需收集尿量方法更加简便。     

2型糖尿病患者微血管病变与血清代谢学指标的关系

目的:探讨2型糖尿病(T2DM)患者微血管病变与血清代谢学指标的关系。方法:选择我院于2015年7月~2016年7月间收治的T2DM患者共96例,按是否存在微血管病变分为观察组(n=43,存在微血管病变)及对照组(n=53,无微血管病变)。检测并对比两组患者血清中三酰甘油(TG)、总胆固醇(TC)、高密度脂蛋白(HDL)、低密度脂蛋白(LDL)、空腹血糖(FBG)、糖化血红蛋白(HbA1C)、同型半胱氨酸(Hcy)、血清胱抑素C(CysC)及血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)水平,并采用logistic回归分析T2DM微血管病变的危险因素。结果:观察组病程、吸烟率高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);观察组TG、LDL、HbA1C、CysC、Hcy、VEGF水平均高于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05);两组TC、HDL水平比较,差异无统计学意义(P0.05);经logistic回归分析显示,病程、CysC、Hcy、VEGF为微血管病变的危险因素(OR=1.975,3.643,4.054,4.214,P0.05)。结论:CysC、Hcy、VEGF为微血管病变的危险因素,对其水平的检测有助于早期T2DM微血管病变诊断及治疗。