Tumour necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand expression in patients with diabetic nephropathy

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the expression profile of tumour necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) in patients with diabetic nephropathy (DN). Methods: A total of 126 Chinese subjects were enrolled in this study, including 42 patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), 42 patients with DN and 42 healthy controls. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed to analyze levels of TRAIL mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Serum levels of soluble TRAIL (sTRAIL) and various cytokines were detected with a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Results: Compared with the control group, the levels of TRAIL mRNA in PBMCs and sTRAIL in sera were both significantly decreased in the DM and DN patients (P < 0.05). Conversely, levels of interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, tumour necrosis factor- and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 were higher in the DN group than in the control group. Serum levels of TRAIL positively correlated with TRAIL mRNA levels in all of the subjects examined (P < 0.05). Conclusions: These results provide support and a theoretical basis for further research of TRAIL in regard to the pathogenesis of DN.