B-type natriuretic peptide and renal function in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: The Dogo Study

Determinants and prognostic value of albuminuria in adult patients with congenital heart disease

BACKGROUND

The determinants and prognostic value of albuminuria remain unclear in patients with adult congenital heart disease (ACHD), especially in those with Fontan circulation (FC).

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 512 consecutive ACHD patients and investigated the determinants of urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) and albuminuria (MAU) and their association with all-cause mortality. Demographic data and laboratory and hemodynamic parameters were collected. Regression analysis and Cox proportional hazard models were used to identify the relationship between log ACR and variables, and clinical factors and all-cause mortality, respectively.

RESULTS

Body mass index, aortic systolic blood pressure (ASP), arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), B-type natriuretic peptide, and diuretic use were independently associated with log ACR. ASP, SaO2, and HbA1c were independently associated with MAU (P < .05-0.001). The prevalence of MAU was highest in unrepaired patients with low SaO2 (50%; P < .0001). Log ACR and MAU were associated with exercise capacity and all-cause mortality (P < .0001 for both) independent of renal function. Patients with ACHD, MAU, and renal dysfunction (n = 23) had the highest risk of all-cause mortality, while those without MAU or renal dysfunction had the lowest risk (P < .0001). These prognostic values remained significant in separate analyses of Fontan and biventricular circulation (P < .0001).

CONCLUSIONS

ASP, SaO2, and HbA1c levels were independently associated with MAU in ACHD patients. MAU and log ACR were associated with all-cause mortality in patients with Fontan and biventricular circulation, independent of renal dysfunction.

Association between Biomarkers of Oxidative Stress and Inflammation with Cardiac Necrosis and Heart Failure in Non-ST Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Patients and Various Degrees of Kidney Function

The aim of this study was to explore the possible association between markers of inflammation and oxidative stress (OS) and markers of cardiac function and necrosis in 100 NSTEMI (non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction) patients with various degrees of kidney dysfunction. At admission, ejection fraction (EF), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), troponin (TnI), creatinine phosphokinase (CPK), alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukins 6 and 10 (IL-6, IL10), myeloperoxidase (MPO), transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β1), glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and albuminuria were assessed. Study participants were divided into 2 subgroups based on the median level of EF. Compared to the high, patients in the low EF group had higher GFR, BNP, CPK, hs-CRP, IL-10, IL-6, and MPO values and lower albuminuria levels. The levels of EF decreased in parallel with the progression of CKD, whereas the levels of BNP, IL-6, and TGF-β were significantly higher in late stages of CKD. Spearman's rho correlation analysis showed that EF was inversely correlated with MPO (r = -0.20, p = 0.05) BNP (r = -0.30, p = 0.002), hs-CRP (r = -0.38, p < 0.0001), IL-10 (r = -0.30, p = 0.003), and IL-6 (r = -0.24, p = 0.02) and positively with GFR (r = 0.27, p = 0.008). TnI was correlated with CPK (r = 0.44, p < 0.0001), CPK-MB (r = 0.31, p = 0.002), ALT (r = 0.50, p < 0.0001), AST (r = 0.29, p = 0.004), IL-10 (r = 0.22, p = 0.03), and MPO (r = -0.28, p = 0.006). In multivariate regression analysis, only BNP (β = -0.011, p = 0.004), hs-CRP (β = -0.11, p = 0.001), and GFR (β = 0.12, p = 0.0029) were independent determinants of EF. Similarly, MPO (β = -1.69, p = 0.02), IL-10 (β = 0.15, p = 0.006), and AST (β = 0.04, p = 0.001) were the 3 major determinants of TnI. Based on these associations, we built a predictive model including markers of inflammation and OS (MPO, IL-10, and hs-CRP) to identify patients with the most severe cardiac injury (combined EF below median and troponin above median values). Receiver-operator characteristic (ROC) analysis showed that the area under the ROC curve of this model to detect patients with low EF and high TnI was 0.67 (p = 0.015, 95%confidence interval = 0.53-0.81).

Renoprotective Effects of DPP-4 Inhibitors

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) worldwide. Dipeptidyl peptidase (DPP)-4 inhibitors are widely used in the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). DPP-4 inhibitors reduce glucose levels by inhibiting degradation of incretins. DPP-4 is a ubiquitous protein with exopeptidase activity that exists in cell membrane-bound and soluble forms. It has been shown that an increased renal DPP-4 activity is associated with the development of DKD. A series of clinical and experimental studies showed that DPP-4 inhibitors have beneficial effects on DKD, independent of their glucose-lowering abilities, which are mediated by anti-fibrotic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidative stress properties. In this review article, we highlight the current understanding of the clinical efficacy and the mechanisms underlying renoprotection by DPP-4 inhibitors under diabetic conditions.

<p>Are Laboratory Parameter (Biomarker) Values Similar to the Healthy Volunteer Reference Range in Individuals with Diabetes</p>

Background

Identification of laboratory parameter clinical safety signals depends on the terminology and scoring criteria. Grade 1 scoring criteria in the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) is typically based on the healthy volunteer reference range (HVRR). The objectives of this study were to determine 1) what laboratory parameters in individuals with diabetes are potentially different from the HVRR and 2) what fold change from baseline should be expected in this population.

Materials and Methods

Baseline data from the individuals with diabetes clinical trial data (TransCelerate dataset) were compared to the HVRR using a 10% threshold above HVRR to classify laboratory parameters as potentially different from the HVRR. These parameters were then evaluated longitudinally to determine the expected x-baseline values for individuals with diabetes for potential use in identifying drug-induced changes.

Results

The baseline data determined that 28% of the laboratory parameters evaluated were potentially different from the HVRR. Longitudinal data analysis determined 1) thresholds for 13 of these laboratory parameters with the subjects above the threshold having greater variability than those below the threshold, and 2) the expected upper limits (x-baseline) were calculated for the laboratory parameters. For example, a 1.8–2.6 x-baseline value for alanine aminotransferase, depending on how the baseline is calculated, is expected in individuals with diabetes.

Conclusion

It is not uncommon for laboratory parameters in individuals with diabetes clinical trials to be potentially different from the HVRR, and the x-baseline criteria for 13 of these laboratory biomarkers was determined for this population. This suggests consideration in modifying the current CTCAE grade 1 criteria of >1.5–3.0 x-baseline should be further investigated as to if the current criteria detects too many false-positive signals in this population.

Metabolic Syndrome and Chronic Renal Disease

Background: The influence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) on kidneys is related to many complications. We aimed to assess the association between MetS and chronic renal disease defined by a poor estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and/or the presence of microalbuminuria/macroalbuminuria.

METHODS

149 patients (77 males/72 females) were enrolled in the study. Chronic renal disease was defined according to KDIGO 2012 criteria based on eGFR category and classified albuminuria. MetS was studied as a dichotomous variable (0 to 5 components) including hypertension, waist circumference, low HDL-cholesterol, high triglycerides, and high glucose. Results: The association between clustering MetS and both classified eGFR and classified albuminuria (x² = 50.3, p = 0.001 and x² = 26.9, p = 0.003 respectively) was found to be significant. The MetS presence showed an odds 5.3-fold (1.6-17.8) higher for low eGFR and 3.2-fold (1.2-8.8) higher for albuminuria in combination with the presence of diabetes mellitus, which also increased the risk for albuminuria by 3.5-fold (1.1-11.3). Albuminuria was significantly associated with high triglycerides, hypertension, high glucose (x² = 11.8, p = 0.003, x² = 11.4, p = 0.003 and x² = 9.1, p = 0.01 respectively), and it was mildly associated with a low HDL-C (x² = 5.7, p = 0.06). A significant association between classified eGFR and both high triglycerides and hypertension (x² = 9.7, p = 0.04 and x² = 16.1, p = 0.003 respectively) was found. Conclusion: The clustering of MetS was significantly associated with chronic renal disease defined by both classified eGFR and albuminuria. The definition of impaired renal function by classified albuminuria was associated with more MetS components rather than the evaluation of eGFR category. MetS may contribute to the manifestation of albuminuria in patients with diabetes mellitus.

Metabolic Syndrome and Chronic Renal Disease

Background: The influence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) on kidneys is related to many complications. We aimed to assess the association between MetS and chronic renal disease defined by a poor estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and/or the presence of microalbuminuria/macroalbuminuria.

METHODS

149 patients (77 males/72 females) were enrolled in the study. Chronic renal disease was defined according to KDIGO 2012 criteria based on eGFR category and classified albuminuria. MetS was studied as a dichotomous variable (0 to 5 components) including hypertension, waist circumference, low HDL-cholesterol, high triglycerides, and high glucose. Results: The association between clustering MetS and both classified eGFR and classified albuminuria (x² = 50.3, p = 0.001 and x² = 26.9, p = 0.003 respectively) was found to be significant. The MetS presence showed an odds 5.3-fold (1.6-17.8) higher for low eGFR and 3.2-fold (1.2-8.8) higher for albuminuria in combination with the presence of diabetes mellitus, which also increased the risk for albuminuria by 3.5-fold (1.1-11.3). Albuminuria was significantly associated with high triglycerides, hypertension, high glucose (x² = 11.8, p = 0.003, x² = 11.4, p = 0.003 and x² = 9.1, p = 0.01 respectively), and it was mildly associated with a low HDL-C (x² = 5.7, p = 0.06). A significant association between classified eGFR and both high triglycerides and hypertension (x² = 9.7, p = 0.04 and x² = 16.1, p = 0.003 respectively) was found. Conclusion: The clustering of MetS was significantly associated with chronic renal disease defined by both classified eGFR and albuminuria. The definition of impaired renal function by classified albuminuria was associated with more MetS components rather than the evaluation of eGFR category. MetS may contribute to the manifestation of albuminuria in patients with diabetes mellitus.