Urinary NAG, AAP and Microalbuminuria as Indicators of Hypertensive Disease

In the current study certain kidney biochemical markerswere measured in the urine of Saudi patients suffering from diabetesmellitus.Two enzyme markers, N-acetyl-â-D-glucosaminidase (NAG), alysosomal enzyme in the catalysis of glycoprotein and alanine aminopeptidase(AAP) a brush border enzyme of the proximal tubulesinvolved in amino acid metabolism, have been reported to be sensitiveindicators of renal damage.The established marker, microalbuminuria was also measured, as itis productive of overt nephropathy and renal diseases.The results showed that in diabetes mellitus high levels of urinaryNAG activity were associated with high microalbuminuria and elevatedAAP levels; NAG activity was high in the normotensive IDDMpatients. Microalbuminuria was higher in hypertensive patients thanin normotensive patients. In hypertensive patients lower total proteinvalues were associated with IDDM but not with NIDDM.NAG assay, AAP and microalbuminuria may be useful markers forearly detection of kidney damage and as an alternative measurementsfor renal dysfunction, although they may not be useful in diagnosinglate stage of kidney failure.