Significant correlation between the immunofluorescence of alpha 2-plasmin inhibitor in glomeruli and the effects of urokinase therapy in patients with IgA nephropathy.
Correlation between the deposition of alpha 2-plasmin inhibitor (alpha 2-PI), which is one of the inhibitory factors of fibrinolytic activities, in the glomeruli and the effects of urokinase therapy in patients with IgA nephropathy is described. Urokinase (UK) is a plasminogen activator derived from fresh human urine. Urinalysis and measurements of renal function tests, i.e., serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, glomerular filtration rate and phenolsulfonphtalein, were performed before and at 8 and 48 weeks after the administration of urokinase. There was marked improvement of proteinuria after UK therapy in patients without deposition of alpha 2-PI in the glomeruli. In contrast, the improvement of proteinuria after UK therapy was not observed in patients with positive deposition of alpha 2-PI in the glomeruli. It was concluded that the administration of UK may be useful for treatment of proteinuria in patients with IgA nephropathy.
D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D005922:Glomerulonephritis, IGA / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000652:urine; D006801:Humans; D007678:Kidney Glomerulus / Q000378:metabolism*; D011507:Proteinuria; D014568:Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000979:alpha-2-Antiplasmin / Q000032:analysis*
D000979:alpha-2-Antiplasmin; D014568:Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator