Urinary beta-trace protein gene expression analysis in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the gene expression of beta-trace protein in urine of diabetic patients, with no reduction in glomerular filtration rate, which was defined as below 60mL/min/1.73m(2). METHODS: Type 2 diabetes mellitus patients were recruited, and a group of non-diabetic individuals served as control. Beta-trace protein gene expression was analyzed by quantitative PCR. Blood samples were collected to establish glucose levels and baseline kidney function. Accuracy was analyzed using ROC curves. RESULTS: Ninety type 2 diabetes mellitus patients and 20 non-diabetic individuals were recruited. The area under the curve was 0.601, sensitivity of 20% and specificity of 89.47%. Among diabetic participants, 18% showed an expression above the cutoff point. CONCLUSION: These results of accuracy of beta-trace protein gene expression in urine of diabetic patients are promising, although they did not achieve a higher area under the curve level.