Lupus and Urine proteins

A new animal study was conducted at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. The main goal of their study was to find something in the urine that was unique to lupus kidney damage. This study is clinically useful for doctors who have to monitor the progression of lupus and how it is affecting the kidneys and the best current way to gain this information is an invasive kidney biopsy. Because testing the urine is noninvasive and cheap, this could be a much better way to monitor patients. Kidney damage causes the most deaths for lupus patients and is therefore very important to monitor for physicians for proper treatment. The researchers found seventy one different proteins in the mice urine only during kidney damage. Of these, they chose four that were in large quantities and would possibly be the best markers. These four proteins are protease, PGDS, SAP and SO. Even though these are proteins found in mice kidneys, there are human equivalents that could be used to monitor human patients. Not only would this information help monitor patients, it could also help determine the mechanisms of lupus as well according to Dr. Mohan. Along with lupus, proteins could also signal kidney damage in other diseases such as high blood pressure and diabetes.

from "Urine Protein Test Might Help Diagnose Kidney Damage from Lupus"
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100216101208.htm



Stephen Infanger