Relationship between the urinary excretion of albumin and retinol-binding protein in insulin-dependent diabetics.
The glomerular and proximal tubular function of the diabetic kidney was investigated. The urinary excretion (relative clearance) of albumin, a marker of glomerular function, and retinol binding protein (RBP), a low molecular weight (LMW) protein and marker of proximal tubular function, was determined in insulin-dependent diabetics. No correlation between the relative clearances of albumin and RBP was observed. LMW proteinuria without microalbuminuria was observed in 27 patients which suggests that tubular dysfunction may be an early stage in the development of diabetic nephropathy. Microalbuminuria was found in 16 patients while a mixed type of proteinuria (microalbuminuria and LMW proteinuria) was present in 56 patients several of whom had advanced nephropathy with elevated serum levels of RBP and creatinine. It is suggested that a combination of tubular and glomerular malfunction may be responsible for some cases of mixed proteinuria.
Holm
J
J
Department of Clinical Chemistry, Central Hospital Nykøbing Falster, Denmark.
Hemmingsen
L
L
Nielsen
N V
NV
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000419:Albuminuria / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003928:Diabetic Nephropathies / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008657:Metabolic Clearance Rate; D008875:Middle Aged; D012177:Retinol-Binding Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000652:urine; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism
D012177:Retinol-Binding Proteins; D012709:Serum Albumin