Background/aim: Our aim was to determine whether altered human β-defensin (HBD), pro-inflammatory cytokines including interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrotic factor (TNF)-α could increase the risk of developing and exacerbation of chronic kidney disease (CKD), especially for patients with diabetic nephropathy (DN).
Methods: Serum samples were obtained from 338 CKD patients and 88 sex, age-matched healthy controls. The concentrations of HBD-1 were assayed using an RIA kit. Serum levels of HBD-2, IL-6 and TNF-α were assayed using an ELISA kit.
Results: Serum levels of HBD-1, IL-6 and TNF-α were significantly higher in CKD patients compared to healthy controls (P<0.05). HBD-1 levels were inversely related to estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), which was the coefficient factor (β = -0.357, P = 0.035) explaining the variability in HBD-1 in CKD. Diabetic nephropathy (DN) patients at stage 3-5 had significantly higher serum HBD-1 levels than non DN patients (P=0.00).
Conclusion: Our data support the view that there is increased inflammation in CKD and DN. The inverse correlation between eGFR and serum HBD-1 which we observed is suggestive of a relationship between innate immunity and renal function and should be further investigated.
© 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel.