Chromatographic profiles of urinary isoenzymes in healthy children

Proteinuria and Enzymuria in Vesicoureteric Reflux

Vesicoureteric reflux is a common abnormality of the urinary tract leading to significant renal morbidity and premature mortality. No reliable non-invasive method exists for its diagnosis. This study investigated the presence of urinary proteins and enzymes in healthy children and those with reflux. A log normal distribution was found for all analyte/creatinine ratios. Significantly higher tubular protein/creatinine ratios were found in patients with reflux nephropathy. Three enzyme/creatinine ratios (n-acetyl-B-D-glucosaminidase, gamma-glutamyl transferase and lactate dehydrogenase) were higher in children with reflux who had no renal scarring, but the degree of overlap with the normal range was such that it is doubtful whether any will be of use as a urinary marker.

Age-related excretion of six glycosidases in rat urine

The activity of beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase (NAG), beta-galactosidase, alpha-L-fucosidase, beta-glucuronidase, beta-glucosidase and alpha-mannosidase was determined in the urine of rats at progressive ages from newborn to old animals. The age-dependence of urinary creatinine, protein and pH values was also studied. Enzyme activity, related to urinary creatinine, was significantly higher in the newborn group than other ages. The excretion of NAG increased significantly in adult rats (3-6 months old) compared to young rats (1 month old). Most of the enzyme activities were diminished in old rats (25 months old). Increased proteinuria and creatinine excretion were observed in rats since 3 months of age. Age-related differences among enzyme activities therefore should be considered when these urinary glycosidases are to be studied in rats.