Abstract:

Objective To clarify whether the urinary excretion of n-acetyl-β-d-glucosaminidasen(NAG), Retinolbinding protein(RBP) andβ2-microglobulin(β2-MG) can be used as indicators for the early diagnosis of type Ⅰ diabetic nephropathy. Methods A total of 47 selected patients with type Ⅰ diabetes admitted to Beijing Children's Hospital and 30 healthy controls were recruited in this study. Urine levels of albumin were measured by the radioimmunoassay; NAG, RBP, β2-MG, and IgG were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Results The 47 patients were divided into two groups based on the rate of urinary excretion of albumin, group 1 patients had normal albuminuria(UAE<20 μg/min); group two had microalbuminuria(UAE 20~200 μg/min); group three was normal control. The urinary level of RBP was significantly higher in patients with microalbuminuria than in the patients with normal albuminuria(P=0.046) and normal control(P=0.039). The urinary level of albumin was positively correlated with the RBP(r=0.24, P=0.032). Conclusion The urinary RBP can be a marker in diagnosis of early DN, but it is not more sensitive than UAE.

Key words: diabetic nephropathy, early diagnosis, retinol binding protein