Introduction

This study aimed to investigate circulating biomarkers associated with the risk of developing diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) and nephropathy in type 1 diabetes (T1D).

Materials and methods

Patients with childhood-onset T1D (n = 49, age 38.3 ± 3.8 yrs.) followed prospectively were evaluated after 30 years of diabetes duration. DPN was defined as an abnormality in nerve conduction tests. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and its tissue inhibitor TIMP-1, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin-2 (NGAL), soluble P-selectin (sP-selectin), estimated GFR (eGFR), micro/macroalbuminuria and routine biochemistry were assessed. For comparison, control subjects were included (n = 30, age 37.9 ± 5.5 yrs.).

Results

In all, twenty-five patients (51 %) were diagnosed with DPN, and nine patients (18 %) had nephropathy (five microalbuminuria and four macroalbuminuria). Patients with DPN had higher levels of TIMP-1 (p = 0.036) and sP-selectin (p = 0.005) than controls. Patients with DPN also displayed higher levels of TIMP-1 compared to patients without DPN (p = 0.035). Patients with macroalbuminuria had kidney disease stage 3 with lower eGFR, higher levels of TIMP-1 (p = 0.038), and NGAL (p = 0.002). In all patients, we found only weak negative correlations between eGFR and TIMP-1 (rho = −0.304, p = 0.040) and NGAL (rho = −0.277, p = 0.062, ns), respectively. MMP-9 was higher in patients with microalbuminuria (p = 0.021) compared with normoalbuminuric patients.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that TIMP-1 and MMP-9, as well as sP-selectin and NGAL, are involved in microvascular complications in T1D. Monitoring and targeting these biomarkers may be a potential strategy for treating diabetic nephropathy and neuropathy.