Diabetic Nephropathy and the Relationship between Diabetic Nephropathy and Genetic Polymorphisms

Aims: The aim of this manuscript is to review the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy and the relationship between diabetic nephropathy and genetic polymorphisms.

Definition: Diabetic nephropathy is one of the kidney diseases that progresses to harm the capillaries in the glomeruli of the kidneys.

Characterization: Diabetic nephropathy is characterized by diffuse scarring of the glomeruli and nephrotic syndrome.

Reason: The main reason for diabetic nephropathy is proposed as long-lasting diabetes and in many developed countries it is the main cause of dialysis. Diabetic nephropathy is categorized as one of the microangiopathic complications of diabetes. Several studies present that there is a correlation between diabetic nephropathy and genetic polymorphisms.

Conclusion: The genetic susceptibility may be an important factor in the development of diabetic nephropathy. Several genes, such as TNF-α, eNOS, GLUT1, ACE, FABP2, ADRB2 and ADIPO with some allelic polymorphisms were proposed to be important in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy. In addition, the angiotensinogen M235T and ANP polymorphisms were proposed to be associated with diabetic nephropathy development, but following studies couldn’t be able to replicate these observations. On contrary to several successful association studies, there are also numerous contradicting observations too. As a result of this, the relationship between diabetic nephropathy and genetic polymorphisms should be studied in detail for different populations. But while conducting such studies the genetic heterogeneity in populations should be taken into account and also the number of the cases studied should be as high as possible.