Endocrine
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Comparative Study
Disease and gender-specific dysregulation of NGAL and MMP-9 in type 1 diabetes mellitus.
Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), a biomarker of renal injury, can bind matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and inhibit its degradation, thereby sustaining MMP-9 proteolytic activity. MMP-9 is produced by renal podocytes, and podocyte MMP production can be modified by high ambient glucose levels. Moreover, dysregulation of MMP-9 activity, gene expression, or urine concentrations has been demonstrated in T2DM-associated nephropathy and in non-diabetic proteinuric renal diseases. ⋯ Both were also positively correlated with measurements of glycemic control and with albuminuria. Plasma MMP-9, urine MMP-9, and urine NGAL concentrations were significantly higher in females compared to males, and urine MMP-9:Cr concentrations displayed a menstrual cycle specific pattern. Increased urinary excretion of NGAL and MMP-9 supports a role for NGAL/MMP-9 dysregulation in renal dysfunction; moreover, gender-specific differences could support a gender contribution to pathological mechanisms or susceptibility for the development of renal complications in diabetes mellitus.