Critical evaluation of the diagnostic use of urinary enzymes.

More basic research has to be done to evaluate the many pathophysiological mechanisms which lead to excretion of enzymes in urine. Special attention is paid to the problem of evaluation of nephrotoxicity of drugs in the animal model. A differentiation of infections in the upper and lower urinary tract may be possible. Correlation of function of a kidney transplant with the aid of urinary enzymes is sometimes possible and the search for enzyme markers in urine for malignancies has to be intensified. Determinations of urinary enzymes are unsuitable for search of kidney disease at present. No nephrological diagnosis is possible with the aid of urinary enzyme determination alone.