Plasma fibronectin [FN] in nephrotic syndrome

ABSTRACT

Fibronctin is a high molecular weight glycoprotein present in body fluids and tissues. FN has a binding property involved in the haemostatic mechanism, inflammatory response and matrix formation. It is believed to be elevated in nephritic syndrome and may have a pathogenic role. FN was measured in 20 case with nephritic syndrome who underwent renal biopsy. Their mean age was 27.8 +/- 9.4 years and were 13 males and 7 females. Plasma FN was also measured in 10 controls [8 males and 2 females]. Plasma FN was elevated in all the cases, significantly higher than in the control group. Its degree was correlating with the degree of proteinuria, but showed no remarkable difference concerning the histologic findings. This high plasma FN level may reflect increased hepatic synthesis as a compensatory responses to the proteinuria and/or excess production by the kidneys and the liver as an inflammatory response