Relationship between serum osteopontin concentration and progression of diabetic nephropathy and renal function

Objective To explore the relationship between serum osteopontin(OPN) concentration and the progression of diabetic nephropathy(DN) and renal function. Methods From March 2019 to March 2021, 124 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM) were recruited and assigned into normal group(<30 mg/g, n=20), microgroup(30~300 mg/g, n=41), large group>300 mg/g and estimated glomerular filtration rateeGFR ≥ 90 mL· min^-1·(1.73m²) ^-1, n=30and renal function impairment groupeGFR <90 mL· min^-1·(1.73m²) ^-1, n=33according to urinary albumin/creatinine ratio(UACR). Another 40 healthy persons without T2DM were selected as control group. The serum concentration of OPN was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Results Compared with control group, serum concentration of OPN was lower in T2DM patients;with a rising level of UACR, serum OPN declined gradually and serum OPN was the lowest in renal function impairment group(P<0.05). Pearson's analysis showed that OPN concentration was correlated negatively with UACR and serum creatinine(Scr) and positively with estimated glomerular filtration rate(eGFR, P<0.05). Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that duration of diabetes, fasting blood glucose, UACR, eGFR, Scr and OPN were closely correlated with progression of DN and renal function(P<005). Receiver operating curve(ROC) analysis showed that the area under the curve(AUC) of OPN concentration for diagnosing DN progression and renal function were 0.812 and 0.866 respectively(P<0.05). Conclusion In DN patients, a decline of serum osteopontin concentration is associated with disease progression and renal function injury. It is expected to become an important biochemical parameter for early assessment of disease severity.