Serum KIM-1 as an early biomarker for hypertensive nephropathy

Abstract

Background & objective: Hypertensive nephropathy is a major global health concern, contributing to significant morbidity and mortality. Early detection of kidney damage using specific biomarkers can aid in timely intervention and improved patient outcomes. This study aimed to assess the diagnostic potential of serum Kidney Injury Molecule-1 (KIM-1) as a biomarker for the early detection of nephropathy in hypertensive patients and its role in the progression of the disease.

Materials and Methods: This study comprised 135 participants aged between 35 and 70 years, categorized into three groups: 45 healthy individuals (control group), 45 hypertensive patients without clinically diagnosed nephropathy (HP), and 45 hypertensive patients with clinically diagnosed nephropathy (HNP). The biomarker KIM-1 was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The study was conducted at Al-Sadr Teaching Hospital and Al-Najaf Teaching Hospital.

Result: The HNP group had a mean KIM-1 level of 4.44 ± 1.98 ng/mL, significantly higher than both the HP group, which had a mean of 1.55 ± 0.57 ng/mL, and the control group, which had a mean of 1.21 ± 0.26 ng/mL. The comparison yielded a P < 0.001, indicating a significant difference among the three groups, the highest in hypertensive nephropathy compared to hypertension and control groups.

Conclusion: According to our results, KIM-1 is a potential biomarker for early detection and prognosis monitoring of hypertensive nephropathy. Further studies are needed to validate its clinical utility and prognostic value in larger patient cohorts.

Abbreviations: ACR: urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio, CKD: chronic kidney disease, ESRD: end-stage renal disease, HNP: Hypertensive nephropathy, KIM-1: Kidney Injury Molecule-1, TIM: T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain

Keywords: Nephropathy; KIM-1, Hypertension; Hypertensive Nephropathy

Citation: Tamkeen SA, Jawad MM. Serum KIM-1 as an early biomarker for hypertensive nephropathy. Anaesth. pain intensive care 2025;29(5):281-287. DOI: 10.35975/apic.v29i5.2852

Received: May 09, 2024; Revised: October 26, 2024; Accepted: January 01, 2025