Significance of expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in kidney and urinary CTGF measurement in diabetic patients

Expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in kidney was observed by immunohistochemistry and urinary CTGF was assayed by ELISA. The results showed that there was positive correlation between CTGF expression and extent of diabetic nephropathy (DN), suggesting that assay of urinary CTGF not only is the early sensitive parameter of DN but also is helpful in monitoring the progression of DN.