Glycosylated proteins in diabetic nephropathy

This study was carried out on 55 diabetic patients, 20 of whom had diabetic nephropathy, and 10 controls. Glycosylated haemoglobin, glycosylated serum protein, glucoprotein, serum protein electrophoresis, blood urea, serum creatinine and beta 2-microglobulin were measured. A significant increase of glucoprotein was observed in patients with diabetic nephropathy. No correlation was found between glycosylated serum protein and glycosylated haemoglobin and duration of diabetes. Glycosylated serum protein showed a positive correlation with beta 2-microglobulin, indicating a link between renal involvement and the rise in glycosylated serum protein. Whether there is a pathogenic relation between glycosylated serum protein and the development of nephropathy awaits further evidence.