Assessment of 17β-Estradiol Levels, Serum Oxidant–Antioxidant Balance, and Interleukin-8 Expression in Relation to Clinical Findings in Patients with Diabetic Nephropathy

Abstract

Background and Objective:
Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the most serious and common chronic microvascular complications of diabetes, representing a major cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). It typically begins with albuminuria in the early stages and progresses to a gradual decline in renal function. Both genetic and environmental factors have been implicated in its onset and progression. The present study aimed to investigate the association between 17-β-estradiol levels, pro-oxidant-antioxidant balance (PAB Assay), and interleukin-8 (IL-8) in relation to DN.
Methods:
In this cross-sectional study, 60 patients with DN were evaluated. Fasting blood sugar (FBS) and HbA1C levels were measured using standard biochemical methods at the hospital laboratory and specialized diabetes clinic. Levels of 17β-estradiol and IL-8 in blood samples were determined using ELISA kits, while IL-8 expression was assessed via qRT-PCR.
Results
The results indicated that the mean 17-β-estradiol level was significantly higher in the patient group compared to the control group (37.95 ± 10.02 vs. 32.27 ± 8.47 pg/ml; P = 0.001). A significant difference in pro-oxidant–antioxidant balance (PAB) was also observed between the two groups (patients: 190.65 ± 42.02 HK vs. controls: 164.58 ± 44.48 HK; P = 0.001) and IL-8 levels were markedly elevated in DN patients compared to controls (46.98 ± 15.58 vs. 28.32 ± 7.86 pg/ml; P = 0.0001). Also, the results of RT-PCR analysis show that IL8 expression in DN patients were up-regulated compared to the control subjects.
Conclusion
Beta-estradiol may play a protective role against diabetic complications by enhancing antioxidant activity in the kidneys. Furthermore, IL-8 seems to modulate inflammatory and immune responses, potentially contributing to protective mechanisms against diabetes and its associated renal complications.