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Analyses of Proteinuria, Renal Infiltration of Leukocytes, and Renal Deposition of Proteins in Lupus-prone MRL/lpr Mice
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Cathepsin L activity correlates with proteinuria in chronic kidney disease in humans

Yu Cao1, Xing Liu2, Ying Li2

  • 1Department of Cardiology, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, China.

International Urology and Nephrology
|May 24, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Serum cathepsin L activity is elevated in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients and correlates with proteinuria severity and poorer prognosis. This suggests cathepsin L may be a potential biomarker for CKD progression.

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Biochemistry
  • Clinical Chemistry

Background:

  • Proteinuria is a key prognostic marker in chronic kidney disease (CKD), linked to mortality and morbidity.
  • Cathepsin L, crucial for kidney ultrafiltration, is upregulated during CKD-related inflammation.
  • This study investigated the potential link between proteinuria severity and serum cathepsin L levels in CKD patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine if serum cathepsin L levels correlate with proteinuria severity in CKD patients.
  • To assess the potential of cathepsin L as a biomarker for CKD prognosis.
  • To explore the association between cathepsin L activity, clinical indicators, and patient outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective observational study including 135 CKD patients, 31 renal transplant recipients, and 48 healthy controls.
  • Analysis of demographic characteristics, clinical indicators, and serum cathepsin L activity.
  • ROC analysis to evaluate the diagnostic performance of cathepsin L activity.

Main Results:

  • Serum cathepsin L activity was significantly higher in CKD patients compared to controls.
  • Higher cathepsin L activity was observed in patients with severe proteinuria and was positively associated with age, BMI, hs-CRP, HMGB1, and 24-h proteinuria.
  • Elevated cathepsin L activity correlated with increased hospital admission rates and was lower in patients receiving statin therapy.

Conclusions:

  • Serum cathepsin L activity is elevated in CKD patients and correlates with proteinuria severity and prognosis.
  • Cathepsin L shows potential as a biomarker for CKD.
  • Further prospective studies are warranted to elucidate the clinical implications of serum cathepsin L in CKD management.
Abstract

Keywords:
BiomarkerCathepsin LChronic kidney diseaseProteinuria

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