title: Beta 2-microglobulinaemia: a sensitive index of diminishing renal function in diabetics.
abstract: A sensitive single measure of diminishing renal function is of importance in attempts to modify the progression of diabetic nephropathy. In 12 insulin-dependent diabetics with proteinuria plasma concentrations of beta 2-microglobulin were found to correlate more closely than plasma creatinine concentrations or creatinine clearance with glomerular function as measured by clearance of 52Cr-EDTA. The plasma beta 2-microglobulin concentration was raised in all patients with diminished glomerular filtration rate (below 80 ml/min/1.73 m2). By contrast, in two of these patients plasma creatinine concentration was normal. Plasma beta 2-microglobulin concentrations were stable throughout the day and not affected by food intake, unlike plasma creatinine concentrations, which rose in the afternoon and evening and after a meat meal. Plasma beta 2-microglobulin concentrations were the same in venous and capillary blood, the capillary blood being readily self-collected. Concentrations of beta 2-microglobulin were stable for up to 24 hours when whole blood was stored at 4 degrees C; adding aprotinin inhibited loss of beta 2-microglobulin for up to seven days. The results of this study suggest, therefore, that measuring beta 2-microglobulin concentrations is a simple and accurate method of detecting minor degrees of renal impairment and monitoring the effects of treatment.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001609:Beta-Globulins / Q000032:analysis*; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D003928:Diabetic Nephropathies / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005919:Glomerular Filtration Rate; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000503:physiopathology; D007677:Kidney Function Tests / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011507:Proteinuria / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D001609:Beta-Globulins; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin; D003404:Creatinine