[Urinary enzyme excretion in childhood uropathy].
BACKGROUND
Renal tissue, and tubules are rich in enzymes but enzyme measurement in the urine as diagnostic parameters in renal diseases have not yet been generally accepted as routine procedures.


OBJECTIVE
To study urinary enzyme excretion in childhood obstructive uropathy and compares the diagnostic efficiency of them.


METHODS
Excretion of the enzymes alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyltransferase (gamma-GT), N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) and leucine aminopeptidase (LAP) has been investigated in urine of 34 children suffering from obstructive uropathy and in 31 healthy controls by photometric kinetic analysis using synthetic substrates.


RESULTS
Urinary excretion of both enzymes significantly increase--2-10 times higher than normal controls--indicates tubular damage. In this study the following relations were found in specificity and in sensitivity: ALP < LAP < gamma-GT < NAG.


CONCLUSIONS
Elevated urinary enzyme excretion may be helpful in identifying upper tract obstruction, which if left untreated may cause progressive renal deterioration. It has a role in helping to determine the surgical correction or can be safely followed without fear of parenchymal damage.
Schäffer
Péter
P
Semmelweis Egyetem, Altalános Orvostudományi Kar, I. sz. Gyermekgyógyászati Klinika, Budapest.
Molnár
László
L
Lukász
Péter
P
Máttyus
István
I
Verebély
Tibor
T
Szabó
Antal
A
D000118:Acetylglucosaminidase / Q000652:urine; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000652:urine; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic / Q000150:complications; D004798:Enzymes / Q000652:urine*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000652:urine*; D007931:Leucyl Aminopeptidase / Q000652:urine; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014517:Ureteral Obstruction / Q000150:complications; D001748:Urinary Bladder Neck Obstruction / Q000150:complications; D014551:Urinary Tract / Q000473:pathology*; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase / Q000652:urine
D004798:Enzymes; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase; D000118:Acetylglucosaminidase; D007931:Leucyl Aminopeptidase