New sensitive markers for the detection of experimental ascending pyelonephritis

Abstract

Kinetic parameters (Km and Vmax) of renal brush border membrane (BBM) enzymes alkaline phosphatase, maltase, leucine-aminopeptidase and γ-glutamyltranspeptidase were used as markers for the early detection of pyelonephritis. Km of all the enzymes studied remained unaltered. The Vmax of all the enzymes studied were found to be significantly decreased (p< 0.05) 3 or 4 days postinfection and onwards in the left obstructed kidney. The Vmax of alkaline phosphatase and leucine-aminopeptidase was found to be significantly increased (p< 0.05) in early stages and decreased (p< 0.05) in later stages of infection in the right unobstructed kidney. No histopathological lesions conforming pyelonephritis could be seen 7 days postinfection in the left kidney and right kidney remained histopathologically unaltered. This demonstrated that BBM enzymes are much earlier disturbed as compared to histopathological changes.