Assessment of Urinary Uromodulin and the Corresponding Gene Expression as a Biomarker of Diabetic Nephropathy

Detecting diabetes-related kidney diseases early is crucial to prevent end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Existing biomarkers' specificity and sensitivity vary, emphasizing the need for novel markers. This research assesses urinary uromodulin levels and its gene expression, aiming to identify a potential marker for early diabetic nephropathy (DN) detection in type 2 diabetes patients. Uromodulin, encoded by the UMOD gene, is expressed mainly in the thick ascending limb of Henle's loop epithelial cells, making it a promising candidate for early DN detection and progression towards ESRD, potentially reducing chronic kidney disease prevalence.