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Transforming Growth Factor-Beta 1 and Endoglin Levels in Congenital Solitary Functioning Kidney
Nuran Cetın1, Nadide Melike Sav1, Zeynep Kusku Kıraz2
1Department of Pediatric Nephrology, Faculty of Medicine, Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Eskisehir, Turkey.
Insights
Children with congenital solitary functioning kidney (cSFK) show higher serum endoglin and TGF-β1 levels, linked to hypertension and microalbuminuria. These markers may predict microalbuminuria in cSFK patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nephrology
- Renal Pathophysiology
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- Congenital solitary functioning kidney (cSFK) is associated with glomerular hyperfiltration, leading to hypertension, microalbuminuria, and impaired renal function.
- Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying these complications is crucial for early diagnosis and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between serum transforming growth factor β-1 (TGF-β1) and endoglin levels with hypertension, renal function, and microalbuminuria in children with cSFK.
Main Methods:
- Serum endoglin and TGF-β1 levels were measured using ELISA in 63 children with cSFK and 36 controls.
- Associations with hypertension, microalbuminuria, and renal function (glomerular filtration rate) were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Patients with cSFK exhibited significantly higher serum endoglin and TGF-β1 levels compared to controls.
- Elevated endoglin levels were associated with masked hypertension, while both TGF-β1 and endoglin were positively linked to microalbuminuria.
- ROC analysis indicated that endoglin and TGF-β1 have predictive value for microalbuminuria in this cohort.
Conclusions:
- Serum endoglin and TGF-β1 may play significant roles in the pathophysiology of microalbuminuria in children with cSFK.
- Endoglin might also contribute to the development of hypertension in this patient group.
Introduction:
Glomerular hyperfiltration leads to hypertension, microalbuminuria, and impaired renal function in children with congenital solitary functioning kidney (cSFK). The purpose of this study was to investigate the associations between serum transforming growth factor β-1 (TGF) and endoglin levels and hypertension, renal function or microalbuminuria in children with cSFK.
Materials And Methods:
63 patients and 36 controls were included in the study. Serum endoglin and TGF-β1 level was measured using ELISA commercial kits.
Results:
Serum TGF-β1 and endoglin levels were higher in patients than those of controls (P = 0.04 and P < 0.001, respectively). The prevalence of hypertension was found to be 45.6%. There was a positive association between endoglin levels and the presence of masked hypertension (odds ratio: 1.121, P = 0.04). TGF-β1 and endoglin levels were positively associated with microalbuminuria (OR: 1.17, P = 0.04; OR: 1.836, P = 0.01). ROC curve analysis showed that serum endoglin and TGF-β1 levels had predictive value for microalbuminuria (cut-off value: 4.86 ng/mL, sensitivity: 94.7%, specificity: 54.5%, area under the curve ± standard error [AUC ± SE]: 0.888 ± 0.025, P = 0.01 for endoglin; cut-off value 561.24 pg/mL, sensitivity: 89.5%, specificity: 73%, AUC ± SE: 0.995 ± 0.334, P = 0.02 for TGF-β1). There were no significant relationships between glomerular filtration rate and serum TGF-β1 or endoglin levels.
Conclusions:
Endoglin and TGF-β1 may play an important role in the pathophysiology of microalbuminuria in cSFK. Endoglin may have a role in the development of hypertension in children with cSFK.
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