Correlation between urinary protein components and renal pathology in primary glomerulonephritis patients of different pathological types

Objective To investigate the correlation between urinary protein components and renal pathology in primary glomerulonephritis (PGN) patients of different pathological types. Methods One hundred and seventeen PGN patients without any special treatment were enrolled in this study. All these patients underwent renal biopsy. Scr and 24-hour urinary protein quantity were measured before the biopsy. Urinary samples were collected to analyze the protein components. Results The highest urinary concentrations of albumin (Alb) and β2-microglobumin (β2-MG) were found in patients with minimal change disease (MCD) and sclerosing glomerulonephritis (SGN) respectively. Urinary IgG/Tpro, transferrin (TRF) and β2-MG were significantly correlated with the renal tubulointerstitial scores (RTIS) and IgG/Tpro was also significantly correlated with the glomerular sclerosis. Urinary TRF and β2-MG were important influencing factors of RTIS in IgA nephropathy (IgAN) and MCD respectively, meanwhile, urinary TRF, IgG,λ light chain and β2-MG were important influencing factors of RTIS in membranous nephropathy (MN) as well. Conclusions There are differences of urinary components among PGN patients with different pathological types. Urinary IgG, TRF and β2-MG are significantly correlated with renal tubulointerstitial damage.