Serum Behavior of NT-3 and VEGFβ, Two Unstudied Growth Factors in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus and End-Stage Renal Disease

<b>Background.</b> DM frequently causes ESRD, a situation in which survival is impossible without chronic dialysis. This research aimed to study the tissue-regenerative capacity of ESRD patients with/without DM. For this purpose, two growth factors were studied: NT-3 and VEGFβ. To our knowledge, this is the first study on the serum behavior of NT-3 in patients with ESRD + DM and, very likely, in patients with ESRD alone. VEGFβ is also very little studied in these patient categories. Since the quasi-permanent inflammation was already clearly proven, this study focused on the anti-inflammatory capacity, taking IL-10 as a prototype, and also the interrelationships between these three factors. <b>Method.</b> All the aforementioned compounds were determined from serum samples, utilizing ELISA kits. <b>Results.</b> The results were surprising, proving a marked polarization of their serum behavior. Although the mean serum levels of NT-3 and VEGFβ were significantly increased in patients with ESRD + DM compared to those with ESRD alone, most patients in both groups had serum levels below the detection limits of the kits used. <b>Conclusions.</b> Although this research is in its early stages, it generates important conclusions and directions for further research, as the functional connections between the studied parameters are not fully understood.