Quan KY, Yap CG, Jahan NK, et al. - For diagnosing diabetic nephropathy (DN) at the early phases, five potential candidate biomolecules [microRNA-377, microRNA-99b, cytochrome P450 2E1, TGF-β1 (transforming growth factor-β) and periostin] were proposed which can be developed into a panel of endogenous biomarkers for early identification of DN in type 2 diabetes mellitus. DN stages could potentially be stratified using the proposed panel of early biomarkers for DN because each biomolecule appears at different stages in the pathophysiology of DN.

• In this review, 4 online databases were explored to selectively detect potential early serum biomolecules that can serve as potential candidates for developing an Early Biomarker Array Test for DN.

• Pivotal roles of five serum biomolecules (abovementioned) in the pathophysiology of DN was evident.

• According to findings, the five selected biomolecules stem from endogenous biochemical processes which are specific to the progressive pathophysiology of DN.