Excretion of urinary N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase isoenzymes after renal transplantation in the rat.

The urinary excretion of N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase isoenzymes A and B following kidney transplantation was studied in rats. High enzymuria with permanent marked isoenzyme B excretion occurred from the immediate post-operative period to the irreversible rejection episode. Isoenzyme B could represent as much as 10-40% of total N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase activity and it reflected the intensity of tubular lesions as observed by histological examination of allograft specimens. Thus, N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase B isoenzyme determination may reinforce the diagnostic value of total (A + B) urinary N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase activity determination during the various complications which can occur after transplantation.