Strategy for urinary protein analysis

Abstract

SUMMARY: Recent studies have highlighted the intrinsic toxicity of filtered proteins and their contribution to deterioration of renal function. In‐depth analysis of proteinuria may assess the degree of glomerular and/or tubular involvement and help in the prognostication of an individual patient. One should consider not only the quantity but also the quality of the urinary protein. Apart from quantitating the total urinary protein, assessment of the quality of the protein may be achieved by performing sodium dodecyl sulphate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS‐PAGE) for an overview assessment follow by automated nephelometry or simple radial immunodiffusion measurement of specific proteins for calculating the selectivity index and detecting tubular dysfunction.