Monocyte chemoatractant protein-1: A potential biomarker of renal lesion and its relation with oxidative status in sickle cell disease

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to evaluate the monocyte chemoatractant protein-1 (MCP-1) as a novel biomarker of renal lesion in sickle cell disease (SCD) and correlate it with oxidative stress.MethodsThis is a prospective study with SCD patients followed at a tertiary center in Brazil. Urine samples were collected to dosage of protein, MCP-1, malondialdehyde (MDA) and urinary creatinine. Patients taking hydroxyurea (SSHU) were compared to those not taking the drug (SS). Patients' data were also compared to a control group of 15 healthy blood donors.ResultsMCP-1 dosage was increased in SCD patients (Control: 42.12 ± 27.6; SSHU: 168.2 ± 90.1 and SS: 231.4 ± 123.7 p < 0.0001). SS patients presented higher levels of MCP-1 in comparison to SSHU group (SSHU: 168.2 ± 90.10 and SS: 231.4 ± 123.7; p = 0.023). The same results were observed for MDA (Control: 2:29 ± 1:13; SSHU: 5.60 ± 2.39 and SS: 7.23 ± 2.64, p < 0.0001) and NO (control: 2.25 ± 1.9; SSHU: 56.54 ± 9.1 and SS: 39.1 ± 9.02, p < 0.0001). A positive correlation was obtained between MCP-1 and MDA (r = 0.34, p = 0.01); albuminuria (r = 0.5, p = 0.03); NO (r = 0.39, p = 0.005).ConclusionThe outcomes of the study suggest that MCP-1 is a predictive biomarker of renal lesion that can also reflect damage caused by oxidative stress present in SCD.