Significant correlation between the immunofluorescence of alpha 2-plasmin inhibitor in glomeruli and the effects of urokinase therapy in patients with IgA nephropathy.

Correlation between the deposition of alpha 2-plasmin inhibitor (alpha 2-PI), which is one of the inhibitory factors of fibrinolytic activities, in the glomeruli and the effects of urokinase therapy in patients with IgA nephropathy is described. Urokinase (UK) is a plasminogen activator derived from fresh human urine. Urinalysis and measurements of renal function tests, i.e., serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, glomerular filtration rate and phenolsulfonphtalein, were performed before and at 8 and 48 weeks after the administration of urokinase. There was marked improvement of proteinuria after UK therapy in patients without deposition of alpha 2-PI in the glomeruli. In contrast, the improvement of proteinuria after UK therapy was not observed in patients with positive deposition of alpha 2-PI in the glomeruli. It was concluded that the administration of UK may be useful for treatment of proteinuria in patients with IgA nephropathy.