| Abstract: | Summary Serum and urinary activities of two acid glycohydrolases, beta-n-acetyl-glucosaminidase and beta-glucuronidase, were significantly
higher in a group of diabetic patients when compared to a control group. No significant differences were found between patients
without vascular complications and those with retinopathy and/or large vessel disease, while the highest enzyme levels were
present in diabetics in poor metabolic control. In diabetics with nephropathy, urinary excretion of both enzymes was further
increased, so that the serum/urine activity ratio (>1 in normal subjects and in diabetics without nephropathy) was inverted
(<1). These data seem to show that the high activity of these enzymes, commonly observed in diabetes mellitus, is related
to the illness rather than to its vascular complications, being higher in patients in poor metabolic control. Furthermore
serum/urine activity ratio may be a useful indicator in the monitoring of diabetic nephropathy. |
