Progression of diabetic nephropathy enhances the plasma osteopontin level in type 2 diabetic patients

Osteopontin (OPN) is thought to play multiple roles in the progression of atherosclerotic plaque including diabetic vascular complications. However, it still remains unclear whether the level of OPN in vivo is indeed clinically associated with the progression of diabetic complications. This study evaluated whether the levels of OPN in plasma and urine are correlated with the progression of diabetic complications, such as retinopathy, neuropathy, and nephropathy in patients with type 2 diabetes. In 229 patients with type 2 diabetes, OPN level in plasma and urine was evaluated by both the severity of diabetic complications, such as retinopathy, neuropathy, and nephropathy, and the clinical characteristics and the substantial laboratory findings. Plasma OPN level increased significantly with aging and the progression of diabetic nephropathy, especially at the stage of renal failure (p<0.05). However, the level was not related to the progression of retinopathy or neuropathy, or to laboratory findings, such as HbA1c or serum lipids. In contrast, urinary OPN level was not associated with diabetic complications in any of the subjects. There was no correlation between the plasma and urinary values of OPN. The results established that the plasma OPN was elevated in proportion to the progression of diabetic nephropathy, indicating that the plasma concentration may be a potential diagnostic predictor of diabetic end-stage renal disease.