Background: Micro-vascular complications of type 1 diabetes are characterized by damage to the microvasculature of the kidney, retina, and neurons. Some proteins are interesting in their biological functions and can be engaged in the development of micro-angiopathy such as growth/differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) and interleukin 29 (IL-29).
Aim: This study aimed to investigate the diagnostic value of growth/differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) and interleukin 29 in cases of type one diabetes and its relation to micro-vascular complications.
Subjects and Methods: This study included 80 participants that were divided into 3 groups. Group 1 included 20 patients with T1DM who had micro-vascular complications, group 2 contained 20 patients with T1DM who did not have microvascular complications and group 3: 40 healthy controls. All participants were subjected to full history taking and thorough clinical examination. Laboratory investigations included HbA1c, fasting lipid profile, micro-albumin in random urine sample, eGFR calculation, GDF-15 and IL-29 assay using ELISA kit.
Results: There was a statistically significant difference between patients and control group as regards GDF-15 and IL29 (p= 0.041 and 0.013, respectively) which were higher in patients group. A high statistically significant difference was found between both groups as regards levels of GDF-15, which was higher in diabetic patients with complications than patients free of complications (p= 0.001). But no statistically significant difference between both patients' groups as regards levels of IL-29 (P > 0.05).
Conclusion: Our results strongly indicate that in T1DM, serum GDF-15 level might serve as a useful marker to detect micro-angiopathy such as diabetic kidney disease, peripheral neuropathy, and retinopathy.