Urinary heme oxygenase‐1 as a potential biomarker for early diabetic nephropathy

Background Our previous study showed that increases of urinary heme oxygenase‐1 (uHO‐1) could be a potential biomarker indicating evaluating intrarenal oxidative damage in obstructive nephropathy. Activation of oxidative stress is an important mediator of diabetic nephropathy (DN). The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical implications of uHO‐1 levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods Eighty‐four type 2 diabetic patients with normoalbuminuria (n=28), microalbuminuria (n=28), and macroalbuminuria (n=28) were included in this study. Control samples were collected from healthy volunteers (n=28) who had normal albuminuria and renal function. Urine HO‐1 levels were evaluated by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Results Urinary HO‐1/creatinine (cr.) levels were significantly elevated in diabetic patients with microalbuminuria and macroalbuminuria compared to those in diabetic patients with normoalbuminuria (P