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Elevated serum KL-6 concentrations in patients with diabetes mellitus
Toru Takahashi1, Kei Takamura, Sinji Sakaue
1First Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, N-15, W-7, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Japan. toruchan@sapmed.ac.jp
Journal of Diabetes and Its Complications
|August 30, 2002
Summary
Serum KL-6 levels are elevated in individuals with diabetes mellitus, independent of blood glucose control. This elevation was observed across different diabetes treatment groups and in kidney tissues, suggesting a link between diabetes complications and KL-6.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Endocrinology
- Nephrology
Background:
- Serum KL-6, a mucin-like glycoprotein, is a potential biomarker for various conditions.
- The relationship between diabetes mellitus and serum KL-6 levels requires further clarification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of blood glucose levels and diabetes mellitus on serum KL-6 concentrations.
- To examine the correlation between serum and urine KL-6 levels.
- To assess the localization of KL-6 antigen in diabetic kidney tissues.
Main Methods:
- Serum KL-6 concentrations were measured in 176 diabetic patients (insulin, oral antidiabetics, diet & exercise groups) and compared to healthy controls.
- Urine KL-6 concentrations were measured in a subset of patients.
- Immunohistochemical staining was performed on diabetic kidney samples using a monoclonal antibody to KL-6.
Main Results:
- Diabetic subjects exhibited significantly higher serum KL-6 levels than healthy controls (643.0±32.7 vs. 206.5±6.1 U/ml).
- Patients treated with insulin or oral antidiabetics showed higher serum KL-6 than those managed with diet and exercise.
- Serum KL-6 did not correlate with urine KL-6 levels (r = -0.044, P = 0.74).
- Positive KL-6 immunoreactivity was found in Henle's loop, renal tubules, and Bowman's space epithelial cells in diabetic kidneys.
Conclusions:
- Diabetes mellitus and its complications lead to elevated serum KL-6 levels, irrespective of glycemic control.
- Serum KL-6 levels were not influenced by diabetes management or control.
- KL-6 antigen is present in specific kidney structures affected by diabetic nephropathy.