Association of Serum PSP/REG Iα with Renal Function in Pregnant Women.

Pancreatic stone protein/regenerating protein I (PSP/REG I) is a secretory protein produced in the pancreas, but its expression has also been observed in the kidney. It may be associated with kidney dysfunction. This study investigates the possible association between PSP/REG I and kidney function in pregnant women. Serum PSP/REG I levels were measured by a specific ELISA enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Maternal information and clinical and biochemical parameters were collected. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated for all individuals to evaluate their renal function. Spearman's correlation and multiple linear regression analyses were performed to assess the associations between PSP/REG I and eGFR, serum creatinine (Cr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and uric acid (UA). A total of 595 pregnant women were enrolled in the study. Participants with mildly reduced eGFR had higher PSP/REG I levels [50.49 (35.02, 58.64)] than in the general population [26.84 (21.02, 33.07)] (p < 0.001). Included participants were stratified into PSP/REG I quartiles; significant differences were observed in the levels of eGFR, serum Cr, BUN, and UA. PSP/REG I was negatively correlated with eGFR (r = -0.402, p < 0.001) and positively associated with serum Cr (r = 0.468, p < 0.001), BUN (r = 0.166, p < 0.001), and UA (r = 0.207, p < 0.001). The linear regression analysis indicated that PSP/REG I was associated with UA, BUN, and eGFR. High PSP/REG I concentrations were closely associated with renal dysfunction in pregnant women. Our study provides clinical evidence that serum PSP/REG I levels could be a novel biomarker for assessment of renal function in pregnant women.