Plasma Leucine-Rich α-2-Glycoprotein 1 Predicts Rapid eGFR Decline and Albuminuria Progression in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Context: Abnormal angiogenesis plays an important role in pathogenesis of diabetic kidney disease (DKD). Leucine-rich α-2 glycoprotein 1 (LRG1) is a newly identified angiogenic factor.

Objective: To study whether plasma LRG1 may independently predict progression of DKD in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Design and Setting: Prospective cohort study in a regional hospital.

Patients: In total, 1226 T2DM participants were followed for a mean ± standard deviation (SD) of 3.1 ± 0.4 years.

Main Outcomes: Albuminuria progression was defined as elevation in albuminuria level to a higher category. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression [rapid estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decline] was defined as a 40% or greater deterioration in eGFR in 3 years.

Results: Both participants with albuminuria progression and those with CKD progression had higher plasma LRG1 levels at baseline. LRG1 independently predicted albuminuria progression above traditional risk factors, including baseline eGFR and urine albumin to creatinine ratio. A 1-SD increment in LRG1 was associated with a 1.26-fold [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.04 to 1.53, P = 0.018] higher adjusted risk for albuminuria progression. The association of LRG1 with microalbuminuria to macroalbuminuria progression was stronger than its association with normoalbuminuria to microalbuminuria progression [odds ratio (OR), 1.51; 95% CI, 1.04 to 2.18, P = 0.029 vs OR, 1.09; 95% CI, 0.86 to 1.37, P = 0.486, per 1-SD LRG1 increment]. Also, LRG1 independently predicted CKD progression above traditional risk factors. A 1-SD increment in LRG1 was associated with a 1.48-fold (95% CI, 1.04 to 2.11, P = 0.032) higher adjusted risk for CKD progression.

Conclusions: Plasma LRG1 predicts both albuminuria and CKD progression beyond traditional risk factors. It may play a role in the pathologic pathway leading to progression of DKD in T2DM.