Studies of Human Kidney and Urine Acid Phosphatase

Abstract

Acid phosphatase is found in high concentration in the glomerulus of the human kidney. It was speculated that acute glomerular damage might cause the release of increased quantities of this enzyme into the urine. In a previous study it was found possible to selectively inhibit acid phosphatase in the urine originating from sources other than the kidney, with the exception of prostate. The present investigation was, therefore, confined to measurements of acid phosphatase activity in adult females and children under the age of 12. The only disease group in which elevated urinary enzyme activity was consistently found was active proliferative glomerulonephritis. Normal urinary enzyme activity was found in patients with inactive glomerulonephritis, renovascular hypertension, cystitis, acute and chronic pyelonephritis and the majority of patients with renal homotransplants.