Abstract

Diabetic nephropathy has been incriminated to be the most important cause of end stage renal diseases and death in
patients with diabetes mellitus. This study was aimed at evaluating β2 microglobulin, cystatin c and creatinine in
patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus. A total of 40 subjects comprising of 20 diabetic patient and 20 healthy subjects
were recruited randomly for the study, and their blood sugar level was determined. Five milliliters (5 ml) of blood
was then collected into the vaccutainer tube with minimal stasis. The blood was allowed to clot at room temperature,
and serum separated and harvested into a clean dry well labeled sample bottles following centrifugation at 3000 rpm
for 5 minutes. The sample was stored in a freezer at -20oc, prior to use. β2 microglobulin and cystatin c was
determined using ELISA techniques while and creatinine was determined using Jaffe-slot Alkaline picratecolometric
method. Results were presented in mean ± standard deviation (SD). All data obtained in the study were analyzed
using student t-test (spss.20) and Pearson correlation coefficent. The level of significance was set at p < 0.05. There
was a significant increase (p=0.000) in the mean value of β2microglobulin in Diabetic patients (2.52±0.22 mg/L)
when compared to controls (1.54±0.23 mg/L). The mean value of Cystatin C was significantly increased (p=0.009)
in Diabetic patients (1.10±0.87 mg/ml) when compared to Controls (0.79±0.18 mg/ml). The mean value of
Creatinine was significantly increased (p=0.023) in Diabetic patients (1.10±0.87 mg/ml) when compared to Controls
(0.79±0.18 mg/ml). There was a non-significant negative correlation of serum β2microglobulin with serum cystatin
C and Creatinine (r= -0.638, p=0.247 and r=-0.115, p=0.853). Diabetes mellitus is associated with increased level of
β2Microglobulin, Cystatin C and Creatinine. The changes observed in these parameters are critical as this may
suggest their use as early risk predictors of diabetic nephropathy in patients diagnosed of diabetes mellitus