Treatment-related changes in urinary excretion of high and low molecular weight proteins in patients with idiopathic membranous nephropathy and renal insufficiency

摘要

Background. In patients with idiopathic membranous nephropathy, an increased urinary excretion of high (IgG) and low [β₂-microglobulin (β₂M), α₁-microglobulin (α₁M)] molecular weight proteins predicts prognosis and precedes renal insufficiency. We have studied the changes in the urinary excretion of these proteins in patients with idiopathic membranous nephropathy and renal insufficiency during and after treatment with cyclophosphamide and steroids, and investigated their value in predicting long-term outcome.