Nephrotic syndrome due to metabolic disease--special reference to diabetic nephropathy

Diabetes has become the most common single cause of end stage renal disease. Nephrotic syndrome is often manifested in the progression of diabetic nephropathy. Diabetic nephropathy has several pathways for development, such as glomerular hyperfiltration, upregulation of protein kinase C, advanced glycation end products, activation of polyol pathway, increased oxidative stress and upregulation of growth factors. Intensive control of blood pressure and the use of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker can protect the progression of nephropathy with nephrotic syndrome. However further studies are necessary for the clinical guidline in patients with diabetic nephropathy manifesting with nephrotic syndrome.