Nephropathy in NIDDM is associated with cellular markers for hypertension.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE--To determine if nephropathy in NIDDM is associated with cellular markers for hypertension. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS--We compared 11 patients with clinical diabetic nephropathy with 15 control subjects with no diabetic nephropathy. The patients were white and had had NIDDM for > or = 9 yr and serum creatinine levels < or = 177 M (2.0 mg/dl). RESULTS--Patients with nephropathy were more obese and had higher blood pressures and triglyceride levels, and lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels than control subjects. Erythrocyte sodium lithium countertransport activity, erythrocyte sodium content, and platelet sodium-proton exchange were higher in patients with nephropathy than in control subjects. CONCLUSIONS--The results of this small study suggest that in white patients with long-standing NIDDM, diabetic nephropathy is associated with cellular markers for hypertension. Measurement of cellular markers for hypertension may be useful to identify patients who are at risk for developing nephropathy.