Association of the SLC22A1, SLC22A2, and SLC22A3 genes encoding organic cation transporters with diabetic nephropathy and hypertension.

Background: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a severe long-term complication of diabetes characterized by continuous albuminuria, a relentless decline in renal function, and an increased arterial blood pressure.

Aims: Our aim was to find out if single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the SLC22A1, SLC22A2, and SLC22A3 genes encoding organic cation transporters (OCTs) associate with DN or hypertension.

Subjects And Methods: We selected 90 SNPs ( approximately 1 SNP/4 kb) in and surrounding SLC22A1, SLC22A2, and SLC22A3 using the HapMap data.

Elevated MBL concentrations are not an indication of association between the MBL2 gene and type 1 diabetes or diabetic nephropathy.

Objective: Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) is an essential component of the acute-phase immune response and may thus play a role in the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes and diabetic nephropathy. The serum concentration of MBL is mainly genetically determined, and elevated concentrations have been associated with both type 1 diabetes and diabetic nephropathy. Previous genetic studies have not been conclusive due to the small number of patients and polymorphisms studied.

Early autonomic dysfunction in type 1 diabetes: a reversible disorder?

Aims/hypothesis: Cardiac autonomic neuropathy is associated with increased morbidity and mortality rates in patients with type 1 diabetes. The prevalence of early autonomic abnormalities is relatively high compared with the frequency of manifest clinical abnormalities. Thus, early autonomic dysfunction could to some extent be functional and might lead to an organic disease in a subgroup of patients only.

Clustering of risk factors in parents of patients with type 1 diabetes and nephropathy.

Objective: To assess the impact of parental risk factors for diabetic nephropathy.

Research Design And Methods: This cross-sectional study included 2,355 type 1 diabetic patients from the FinnDiane (Finnish Diabetic Nephropathy) study. Diabetic nephropathy was defined as macroalbuminuria (urinary albumin excretion rate >200 microg/min or >300 mg/24 h) or end-stage renal disease.

Pre-eclampsia but not pregnancy-induced hypertension is a risk factor for diabetic nephropathy in type 1 diabetic women.

Aims/hypothesis: Our aim was to study whether pre-eclampsia and pregnancy-induced hypertension are predictors of diabetic nephropathy in type 1 diabetic women.

Materials And Methods: A total of 203 type 1 diabetic women, who were pregnant between 1988 and 1996 and followed at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in Helsinki, were re-assessed after an average of 11 years within the nationwide, multi-centre Finnish Diabetic Nephropathy Study. Diabetic nephropathy was defined as microalbuminuria, macroalbuminuria or end-stage renal disease.