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Urinary excretion of vascular endothelial growth factor is increased in children with reflux nephropathy

Ryuichiro Konda1, Hiroshi Sato, Kiyohide Sakai

  • 1Department of Urology, Iwate Medical University School of Medicine, Morioka, Japan. ryukonda@iwate-med.ac.jp

Nephron. Clinical Practice
|November 6, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Urinary vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels can predict kidney damage in reflux nephropathy. Elevated urinary VEGF may indicate early-stage renal damage before other biomarkers appear.

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Biomarker Discovery
  • Pediatric Urology

Background:

  • Reflux nephropathy can lead to progressive renal damage.
  • Early detection of renal damage is crucial for managing reflux nephropathy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the clinical significance of urinary vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) as a predictor of renal damage in patients with reflux nephropathy.

Main Methods:

  • Studied 72 pediatric patients with reflux nephropathy.
  • Measured urinary and plasma VEGF, alpha1-microglobulin, albumin, and serum creatinine.
  • Assessed renal scarring and kidney function using 99mTc dimercaptosuccinic acid renal scan.

Main Results:

  • Urinary VEGF levels significantly correlated with the severity of renal scarring (p < 0.0001).
  • Urinary VEGF showed significant correlations with serum beta2-microglobulin (p < 0.002) and urinary alpha1-microglobulin (p < 0.03).
  • Elevated urinary VEGF was observed in patients before increases in other biomarkers.

Conclusions:

  • Urinary VEGF levels reflect renal production and may indicate early kidney damage in reflux nephropathy.
  • Urinary VEGF can serve as an early indicator of developing renal damage, preceding other established biomarkers.
Abstract

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