Reports of research work funded by grants prior to 2012

Massey University

Is Beta-Defensin-1 a diagnostic biomarker for Diabetic Nephropathy?

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Institute of Food Nutrition and Human Health

This project is an exploratory project, that is investigating whether beta-defensin-1 is a possible biomarker for people with type 2 diabetes and/or type 2 diabetes with kidney disease and /or people with kidney disease.  Our aim is for recruiting  ten subjects between the ages 18 and 75 for each of the following groups:

Group 1:  Subjects with type 2 diabetes and kidney disease: creatinine <150-160 and proteinuria >1g or ratio protein/creatinine in the urine of >100 mg/mmol.

Group 2:  Subjects with type 2 diabetes (from 0-5 yrs onset).

Group 3:  Age matched controls: healthy individuals with no diabetes.

Group 4:  Age matched controls: individuals with kidney disease but no diabetes

The biological samples collected are:  3x fasting blood samples (taken within 6 weeks) and one urine spot sample taken when the first blood sample is collected Analysis of beta-defensin-1 in all three blood samples will be performed.  Fasting blood glucose, HBA1c, creatinine will be measured in the first blood sample.  Fasting insulin will only be done if there is enough money left in the budget.  The Protein/Creatinine ratio is determined in the urine spot sample.

We have recruited ten people for Group 1 and 2 and all three blood samples and urine sample has been collected for these 20 participants.  The metabolite measurements (not fasting insulin) have been done for the blood and urine spot samples.  Fasting blood samples are being stored at -80oC for beta-defensin- 1 analysis.  The ELISA kits for detection of beta-defensin-1 have been ordered.

Only four participants for Group 1 have been recruited so far.  We have decided to change the criteria for selection in this group to people with type 2 diabetes and kidney disease with creatinine greater than 300.  I am at present awaiting approval from the Central Ethics Committee for this amendment in recruitment.