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Urinary excretion of N ‐acetyl‐β‐ d ‐glucosaminidase and alanine aminopeptidase during pregnancy
Author(s) -
Strigini F.,
Melis G.B.,
Gasperini M.,
Ronca G.,
Palmieri L.,
Fioretti P.
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
international journal of gynecology and obstetrics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.895
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1879-3479
pISSN - 0020-7292
DOI - 10.1016/0020-7292(89)90537-7
Subject(s) - medicine , excretion , urinary system , pregnancy , alanine , endocrinology , biochemistry , amino acid , biology , genetics
The assay of enzyme activity in urine seems a reliable and safe method to monitor different kidney diseases. However, its use in pregnant patients might be limited by the modifications of kidney function during pregnancy. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the trend of excretion of the lysosomal enzyme N‐acetyl‐β‐ d ‐glucosaminidase (NAG) and the brush border enzyme alanine aminopeptidase (AAP) during uncomplicated pregnancies. NAG excretion showed a significant increase (P < 0.001) throughout pregnancy, while no significant modification of AAP levels was demonstrated. These data support the hypothesis that the two enzymes are excreted into the urine through different mechanisms and might constitute markers for different pathological events. As the increase of NAG excretion may be related to the kidney functional adaptation to pregnancy, different cut‐off limits must be established in this period.