Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 6, 2026

Author Spotlight: Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking to Decipher the Action of Jiawei Shengjiang San Against Diabetic Kidney Disease
Published on: May 10, 2024
Transforming growth factor-β1 in children with diabetic nephropathy
Happy Sawires1, Osama Botrous2, Abdelmegeed Aboulmagd2
1Pediatric Nephrology & Transplantation Center, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt. happy7_kd@yahoo.com.
Background:
Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) is a multifunctional cytokine that has numerous biological processes. Earlier research indicates that protein and mRNA production of TGF-β1 are enhanced in the renal tissues of patients with diabetic nephropathy (DN). Our aim was to evaluate the role of TGF-β1 in early prediction of DN in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM).
Methods:
Fifty patients with T1DM were enrolled in an observational study. Patients were eligible to participate if at least 3 years had passed since T1DM diagnosis. Patients were classified into two groups (A and B) according to the presence or absence of microalbuminuria, respectively. Serum TGF-β1 was measured by ELISA in the patients.
Results:
Out of the 50 studied patients with T1DM, there were 23 (46%) patients with microalbuminuria. There was a significant difference between patients in group A and B as regards TGF-β1 (p < 0.001). HbA1c had very little influence in controlling for the relationship between TGF-β1 and disease duration. Diagnostic cutoff value of TGF-β1 was 358.5 pg/ml with sensitivity and specificity of 100%.
Conclusion:
TGF-β1 was significantly higher in children with DN in comparison with children without. It could be used as an early indicator of DN in children with T1DM with high sensitivity and specificity.
Related Concept Videos
Role of Hematopoietic Growth Factors
Thrombopoietin (TPO), mainly released by the liver,...
Factors Influencing Microbial Growth: pH
Factors Influencing Microbial Growth: Temperature
Factors Influencing Microbial Growth: Osmolarity
Bacterial Transformation
Griffith made an unexpected discovery when he killed the pathogenic strain and mixed its remains with the live, non-pathogenic strain. Not only did the mixture kill host mice, but it also contained living pathogenic bacteria that...
Pathophysiology of Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is characterized by autoimmune-mediated destruction of pancreatic β cells, with environmental factors potentially triggering this process in genetically susceptible individuals. Despite many not having a family history, certain genes increase susceptibility,...

