Serum Proenkephalin A (PENK) as an Emerging Biomarker of Renal Failure and Its Association with Mineral, Endocrine, and Hematological Parameters

Authors

• Zahraa H. K. AlJelawy, Department of Anesthesia Techniques, College of Health and Medical Techniques/Kufa, Al-Furat Al-Awsat Technical University, Najaf, IraqFollow
• Haider Abdul-Moneem Al-Mothafer, Department of Anesthesia Techniques, College of Health and Medical Techniques/Kufa, Al-Furat Al-Awsat Technical University, Najaf, IraqFollow

Article Type

Article

Abstract

Objective: Renal failure is related to metabolic and endocrine disorders, in particular chronic kidney disease-Mineral and Bone Disorder (CKD-MBD). In this study, the clinical utility of serum Proenkephalin A (PENK) as a novel renal biomarker was evaluated, and its changes and correlation matrix with established renal, mineral, bone and hematological parameters in patients with renal failure were studied. Materials and Methods: A case control study was performed including patients diagnosed clinically with renal failure and age and gender matched healthy controls. Venous blood samples were collected to analyze serum PENK, including urea, creatinine, parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcium, phosphate, Vitamin D, hemoglobin and albumin. Statistical analyses were performed using Jamovi (version 2.7.30). The normality was tested using the Shapiro-Wilk test. Continuous variables were compared with Student's t-test or the Mann-Whitney U test, and effect sizes were calculated. Results: Serum PENK levels were significantly increased in patients with renal failure (394.52 ± 135.28 pmol/L) when compared to healthy controls (65.33 ± 9.85 pmol/L, p < 0.001). Similarly,urea, creatinine, PTH and phosphate levels, showed significant increases (p < 0.001). patients exhibited a significant decrease in serum calcium (7.11 ± 0.89 mg/dL vs. 9.15 ± 0.70 mg/dL), Vitamin D (13.80 ± 3.73 ng/mL vs. 37.08 ± 7.15 ng/mL), hemoglobin, and albumin levels (p < 0.001). Correlation analysis showed that serum PENK had a strong and significant positive association with urea, creatinine and PTH, and distinct negative associations with vitamin D and calcium. Conclusion: Serum PENK may serve as a promising biomarker associated with renal dysfunction and CKD-MBD and is significantly associated with CKD-MBD.

Keywords

Chronic kidney disease, Proenkephalin (PENK), Parathyroid hormone, Renal biomarkers, Renal failure

Recommended Citation

AlJelawy, Zahraa H. K. and Al-Mothafer, Haider Abdul-Moneem (2026) "Serum Proenkephalin A (PENK) as an Emerging Biomarker of Renal Failure and Its Association with Mineral, Endocrine, and Hematological Parameters," Muthanna Medical Journal: Vol. 13: Iss. 3, Article 10.
Available at: https://muthmj.mu.edu.iq/journal/vol13/iss3/10

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.