Method

TURB (turbidimetry) – quantitative determination of alpha-1-microglobulin in urine.

Description

Alpha-1-microglobulin (A1M) is a glycoprotein with a molecular weight of 26 kDa, primarily produced in the liver and present in the blood and interstitial fluid of all body tissues. It is broken down in the kidneys. A1M has immunomodulatory and antioxidant properties, can degrade hemoproteins and other substrates, and is involved in binding and excreting heme and tryptophan metabolites. This marker is a highly sensitive indicator of proteinuria and an early marker of proximal renal tubule dysfunction.

Indications

Diagnosis and monitoring of tubular (tubule) dysfunction of the kidneys
Infectious kidney diseases
Tubulointerstitial nephritis
Glomerulonephritis
Renal vasculopathies
Use of nephrotoxic drugs
Heavy metal salt poisoning
Hypertensive disease
Diabetes mellitus
Pregnancy-related pathologies
Rheumatologic diseases

Preparation

Urine collection should be done in the morning, preferably the second spontaneous urine portion, with a volume of 10 ml, into a labeled single-use plastic container. Before collecting the sample, the following rules must be observed:

Exclude diuretic drugs for 48 hours.
Stop taking medications 12 hours before the test (in consultation with a doctor).
Avoid alcohol, mineral water, spicy, salty, fatty, sweet foods, and products that alter urine color and odor (beetroot, carrot, horseradish, onion, spices) for 24 hours.
Limit nicotine intake.
Avoid physical exertion and emotional stress.
Women are advised to collect urine before menstruation begins or 2-3 days after it ends.
Perform thorough hygiene of the external genitalia before collection.
For infants and children, urine collection is done using a urine collector after thorough hygiene.

The sample must be delivered to the laboratory within 24 hours, kept refrigerated (temperature +2 to +8 ºC). If delivery is delayed, the sample should be frozen at -20 ºC and transported frozen, avoiding thawing.

Clinical Significance

Alpha-1-microglobulin is an early and sensitive marker of proximal renal tubule dysfunction. Elevated levels of A1M in urine indicate early stages of nephrological diseases such as tubulointerstitial nephritis, glomerulonephritis, and other conditions affecting kidney function. The high stability of A1M at low pH values makes it a reliable indicator for diagnosing and monitoring kidney status.

Alpha-1-microglobulin in urine0312

Specifications

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