Assessment of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) Concentration in Children with Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome

Idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS) is a chronic disease affecting children in early childhood. It is characterized by proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, edema and hyperlipidemia. To date, the diagnosis is usually established at an advanced stage of proteinuria. Therefore, new methods of early INS detection are desired. This study was designed to assess brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) as a potential marker in the early diagnosis of INS. The study group included patients with a diagnosis of idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (n = 30) hospitalized in Clinical Hospital No. 1 in Zabrze, from December 2019 to December 2021. Our study shows that serum BDNF concentration decreased and urine BDNF concentration increased in a group of patients with INS, compared with healthy controls. Such outcomes might be related to loss of the BDNF contribution in podocyte structure maintenance. Moreover, we anticipate the role of BDNF in urine protein concentration increase, which could be used as a direct predictor of urine protein fluctuations in clinical practice. Moreover, the ROC curve has also shown that serum BDNF and urine BDNF levels might be useful as an INS marker.

Automated summary

Idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS) is a chronic disease that affects children in early childhood and is usually diagnosed at an advanced stage of proteinuria. This study suggests that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) may be a potential marker for early diagnosis of INS. The study found that BDNF levels in the serum decreased and in the urine increased in INS patients compared to healthy controls. These findings may be related to the loss of BDNF contribution to podocyte structure maintenance and the increase in urine protein concentration. In addition, the ROC curve analysis showed that serum BDNF and urine BDNF levels may be useful markers for INS.