Association between urinary vanin-1 and decrease in kidney function in hypertensive patients

Abstract

Symptoms of chronic kidney disease (CKD) are not usually apparent in its early stages. If diagnosed early, the progression of CKD can be altered. Several new biomarkers for damage of renal tubular epithelia such as neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) have been identified. Previously, we found a novel renal biomarker, urinary vanin-1, in several animal models with acute kidney injury as well as CKD. In the present study, we have examined the relationship between these new biomarkers and kidney function assessed using estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in hypertensive patients. The patients were enrolled in this study with written informed consent. Among 42 cases, urinary vanin-1 was significantly inversely correlated with eGFR (r = -0.52; P<0.001). Among patients classified with CKD G2, those with proteinuria tended to show high urinary vanin-1. Therefore, urinary vanin-1 might be a potential biomarker relating the decrease in kidney function in hypertensives patients.