Increased Serum and Urinary N-Acetyl-β-D-Glucosaminidase Activity in Human Hypertension: Early Indicator of Renal Dysfunction

Abstract

The pathophysiologic significance of increased serum and urinary N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) activity in hypertension was investigated. The subjects were 32 male patients, aged 40–65 years, with mild or borderline, uncomplicated hypertension and 26 age-matched, male normotensive volunteers. Compared to values in control subjects, NAG activity in the serum, spot and 24-hour urine samples of hypertensive subjects was increased (p < 0.01). Serum NAG activity in hypertensive subjects was inversely correlated with glomerular filtration rate (r = −0.49, p < 0.01, N = 31) and renal plasma flow (r = −0.56, p < 0.02, N = 19) and positively correlated with mean arterial blood pressure (r = 0.40, p < 0.05). The elevation of serum NAG activity in hypertension is a biochemical marker of the reduction in glomerular filtration rate and renal plasma flow.

Key Words:

• N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase
• essential hypertension
• renal function
• glomerular filtration rate
• renal plasma flow