Therefore, our results are in‐line with other studies suggesting that the reduction in podocyte damage may, in fact, reduce albuminuria and diabetes progression.47 Albuminuria is a biomarker of DKD and its severity is considered one of the most important predictors of DKD progression.48 As previously pointed out, the reduction in albuminuria in the Φ‐NGAL group may merely by a reflection of podocyte preservation. Here, LCN2 is linked to diabetes mellitus.