Serum pregnancy associated α2-glycoprotein levels in 51 IgA nephropathy patients (28 males and 23 females) and 46 healthy subjects (31 males and 15 females) were determined by enzyme-immunoassay. The results showed the serum pregnancy associated α2-glycoprotein levels to be significantly increased in the IgA nephropathy patients over the healthy subjects in both sexes (males: p<0.01, females: p<0.001). Further, in the male patients, the level was significantly increased in those with proteinuria, also there was a significant negative correlation between the concentration and PSP 15 minute value and GFR. On the other hand, in the female patient group there was a significant positive correlation between serum total cholesterol level.
On the basis of these findings, we presume that the determination of serum pregnancy associated α2-glycoprotein level may be useful in assuming the prognosis of IgA nephropathy.