Albuminuria

Study data from University of Florida, Medical Department update knowledge of proteinuria

Albuminuria Library Library Home This article was published in Proteomics Weekly, which you can subscribe to online.

"Detailed analysis was performed for a set of 5 urine specimens selected based on a high ratio of albumin-sized molecules by size-exclusion HPLC (Accumin(R)) versus albumin by immunoassay methods. Specimens were analyzed for total protein, alpha(1)-microglobulin, alpha(1)-acid glycoprotein, cystatin C, and retinol-binding protein. Urine components were analyzed by chromatographic and electrophoretic methods. Major components were identified by mass spectrometry of tryptic peptides. A subset of urine specimens had increased total protein with slight increases in albumin by immunoassay or by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Albumin values by size-exclusion HPLC were more than 10-fold higher. Immunoassays for alpha(1)-microglobulin and alpha(1)-acid glycoprotein yielded concentrations 5-10 fold higher than for albumin. Other major components identified included zinc-alpha(2)-glycoprotein and leucine-rich-alpha(2)-glycoprotein. A subset of patients with burn injury had increased total urinary protein resulting primarily from increased excretion of proteins such as alpha(1)-microglobulin and alpha(1)-acid glycoprotein with little increase in albumin excretion. The unusual composition of urinary proteins in these patients may relate to decreased filtered load of albumin and increased filtered load of acute phase reactants or to alterations in renal tubular protein processing," wrote D. Sviridov and colleagues, University of Florida, Medical Department.

The researchers concluded: "Thus, measurement of urinary albumin may have decreased sensitivity for detecting kidney injury in burn patients. ."

Sviridov and colleagues published their study in Clinica Chimica Acta (Proteinuria without albuminuria: Urinary protein excretion by a subset of patients with burn injuries. Clinica Chimica Acta, 2009;403(1-2):42-46).

For more information, contact G.L. Hortin, University of Florida, College Medical, Dept. of Pathology, POB 100275, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA.

Publisher contact information for the journal Clinica Chimica Acta is: Elsevier Science BV, PO Box 211, 1000 AE Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Keywords: United States, Gainesville, Albuminuria, Burn Injury, Burn Medicine, Immunoassay, Mass Spectrometry, Medical Device, Nephrology, Proteinuria, University of Florida, Medical Department.

This article was prepared by Proteomics Weekly editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2009, Proteomics Weekly via NewsRx.com.