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María González (gonzalez_maria@hotmail.com)
Background: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a leading cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). Tumor necrosis factor receptors (TNFR1 and TNFR2) have emerged as potential biomarkers for DN progression, reflecting underlying inflammation and kidney damage. Despite growing interest, their clinical utility in diagnosing and predicting nephropathy remains underexplored. Objective: This study systematically reviews and synthesizes available literature to evaluate the association of TNFR1 and TNFR2 with key markers of nephropathy, including albuminuria and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across major databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, for studies published between 2000 and 2023. Inclusion criteria encompassed observational and clinical studies that assessed TNFR1 and TNFR2 levels in T2DM patients with varying stages of DN. Data extraction focused on TNF receptor concentrations, renal function markers, and statistical correlations between these parameters. Results: Our analysis reveals a significant correlation between elevated TNFR1 and TNFR2 levels and progressive stages of DN. Increased TNFR1 and TNFR2 concentrations were strongly associated with declining eGFR and worsening albuminuria, highlighting their role as predictive indicators of kidney function decline. Furthermore, TNF receptor levels demonstrated greater sensitivity in detecting early nephropathy compared to traditional biomarkers. Conclusion: These findings underscore the clinical significance of TNFR1 and TNFR2 as promising biomarkers for DN progression in T2DM patients. Their potential use in risk stratification, early diagnosis, and disease monitoring could enhance therapeutic decision-making and patient outcomes. Future research should focus on standardizing TNFR1 and TNFR2 measurement protocols and exploring their integration into routine nephropathy screening strategies.