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Updated: Jun 6, 2026

Comparative Proteomic Analysis of Whole Kidney, Medulla, and Cortical Tubules in Diabetic Pathogenesis of Kidney Injury in Mice
Published on: May 2, 2025
Increased plasma methylglyoxal level, inflammation, and vascular endothelial dysfunction in diabetic nephropathy
Jianxin Lu1, Edward Randell, Yingchun Han
1Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Laboratory Medicine, Wenzhou Medical College, Wenzhou, China.
Objectives:
To investigate the association of plasma levels of methylglyoxal (MG) and markers of inflammation/endothelial dysfunction with diabetic nephropathy (DN).
Design And Methods:
Plasma levels of MG, cytokines, and adhesion molecules were measured in type 2 diabetic patients (T2DM), T2DM patients with DN, and the controls.
Results:
Plasma MG levels in DN were significantly higher than those in T2DM and the controls (312 ± 135 vs. 212 ± 73 and 312 ± 135 vs. 147 ± 78 nmol/L, respectively, P<0.001). The plasma levels of MG were positively correlated with the fasting glucose, HbA1c, and urinary albumin/creatinine ratio (r=0.754, P<0.05). Plasma levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and adhesion molecules were markedly increased in DN compared to T2DM patients and the controls.
Conclusions:
Increased plasma levels of MG, cytokines, and adhesion molecules are associated with DN. These markers may be useful in predicting the development of DN.
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