RBP and Alb in neonatal hydronephrosis and its association with IL-12 levels in pregnant women before delivery

Expression levels of retinol-binding protein (RBP) and albumin (Alb) in the kidney of patients with neonatal hydronephrosis were detected to explore whether RBP and Alb can be used as diagnostic indicators for neonatal hydronephrosis. Blood and urine samples from neonates with hydronephrosis in the obstetrics and gynaecology department of Hongqi Hospital Affiliated to Mudanjiang Medical University from January 2016 to January 2018, and healthy newborns were collected. RBP and Alb levels in neonates, and the expression of IL-12 in serum of the mothers were detected by ELISA. To establish the rat model, 30 male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into two groups: sham operation group (n=15) and unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) (n=15). Expression of RBP and Alb protein was detected by western blot analysis. Another 30 female SD rats were randomly divided into the Sham and IL-12 knockdown groups. The Sham group was given NC treatment, while IL-12 knockdown group was given treatment with IL-12 knockdown adenovirus through tail vein injection. Results of ELISA showed that serum RBP and renal urinary Alb levels were higher in neonates with hydronephrosis compared with the control group (P=0.009 or P=0.013). Compared with the control group, levels of IL-12 were significantly lower in mother of neonatal hydronephrosis group (P=0.001). After the IL-12 knockdown treatment in pregnant rats, levels of RBP and Alb hydronephrosis-related indicators were significantly increased. The incidence of hydronephrosis in rats delivered via IL-12 knockdown pregnant rats was significantly higher than that of normal pregnant rats (P=0.001). The combination of RBP and Alb in the diagnosis of neonatal hydronephrosis has important clinical significance, and neonatal hydronephrosis is closely related to the level of IL-12 in mothers before birth. Our findings provide new ideas and theoretical basis for the diagnosis and prediction of neonatal hydronephrosis.