MiRNA-200b level in peripheral blood predicts renal interstitial injury in patients with diabetic nephropathy

BACKGROUND: To uncover the diagnostic potential of peripheral blood microRNA-200b (miRNA-200b) in renal interstitial injury in diabetic nephropathy (DN) patients. METHODS: A total of 50 diabetes subjects, 50 mild DN subjects, 50 moderate-severe DN subjects and 50 healthy subjects were included. Peripheral blood level of miRNA-200b in every subject was detected by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Serum levels of renal function indicators were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Meanwhile, relative levels of fibrosis damage indicators were examined by chemiluminescent immunoassay. Diagnostic potentials of miRNA200b in diabetes, mild DN and moderate-severe DN were assessed by depicting receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. RESULTS: Peripheral blood level of miRNA-200b was higher in DN subjects than diabetes subjects without vascular complications, especially moderate-severe DN patients. Peripheral blood level of miRNA-200b in DN subjects was negatively correlated to relative levels of serum creatinine, urinary nitrogen, cystatin, TGF-b, CIV and PCIII. ROC curves demonstrated diagnostic potentials of miRNA-200b in mild and moderate-severe DN. CONCLUSIONS: Peripheral blood level of miRNA-200b is closely linked to the degree of renal interstitial injury in DN patients. MiRNA-200b may be a vital indicator in predicting the development of DN.