REDUCED SERUM AND URINARY FLUORIDE IN DIABETIC NEPHROPATHY: RELATIONSHIP WITH RENAL DYSFUNCTION AND OXIDATIVE STRESS IN TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS

Background: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is a major cause of diabetic nephropathy (DN) and progressive renal dysfunction. Impaired kidney function may result in fluoride retention, which, together with hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress, can aggravate renal injury. Since limited studies have explored the combined role of fluoride retention & oxidative stress in diabetic kidney disease, this study aimed to evaluate their association with renal dysfunction in T2DM patients.

Method: This study included 100 T2DM subjects & 50 healthy controls. The T2DM participants were divided into two groups: T2DM without nephropathy & T2DM with nephropathy. Following blood & urine sample collection, laboratory parameters were analyzed using standard methods. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS version 20 & a p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Result: Renal dysfunction markers, including urea, creatinine, cystatin-C, microalbumin & ACR were markedly increased in T2DM with nephropathy along with a significant reduction in eGFR suggesting severe renal impairment. T2DM with nephropathy group also showed decreased levels of serum proteins, lipid parameters, antioxidants, fluoride & eGFR, while triglycerides, VLDL, MDA & uric acid were significantly elevated. Overall, results demonstrate progressive metabolic imbalance, oxidative stress, dyslipidemia & worsening renal function with the most severe abnormalities observed in T2DM with nephropathy patients.

Conclusion: Finding of our study suggest that T2DM with nephropathy patients exhibited significant renal dysfunction, oxidative stress, dyslipidaemia & fluoride retention. Poor glycemic control & oxidative stress contributed to progressive kidney damage while fluoride retention may further aggravate renal injury.