Evaluation of a new automated, enzymatic inulin assay using D-fructose dehydrogenase.

Background: Inulin clearance (Cin) is widely considered to be a gold-standard assessment of glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Although inulin concentrations are commonly determined by the anthrone method, this method has several disadvantages, including a hazardous heating procedure using a strong acid, as well as a nonspecific reaction and being influenced by other saccharides such as glucose.

Method: Here, we report the development of a new automated, enzymatic inulin assay.

[Estimation of glomerular filtration rate by inulin clearance: comparison with creatinine clearance].

Inulin clearance (Cin) is widely believed to be the gold standard of the glomerular filtration rate (GFR). However, in Japan, Cin has not been officially recognized by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan for clinical use. Creatinine clearance (Ccr) has been used to estimate the renal function of patients, but there have been many studies in which Ccr estimates were GFR falsely high because the metabolism and tubular excretion of creatinine widely varied according to the pathophysiological state of the patient.

[Diuretics; their characteristics and future development].

We review the diuretics regarding the mechanism of action, way of clinical use and their adverse effects. Recent progress of molecular biology revealed the molecular target of diuretics and thereby, the molecular mechanism of diuretic action became clear to understand. Loop diuretics and thiazides are the most widely used diuretics and the physiologic adaptation to their prolonged use are mentioned.

Skim soy protein enhances GFR as much as beefsteak protein in healthy human subjects.

Background: It has been reported that an acute load of beefsteak (200 g) significantly enhanced the glomerular filtration rate (GFR; inulin clearance and creatinine clearance) in healthy human subjects compared to that in the same subjects in the fasted state. However, no comparative study of the effects of the same amount of vegetable protein on GFR has been reported to date.

Methods: We attempted to compare changes in the GFR (inulin clearance and creatinine clearance) in six healthy male subjects following consumption of the same amount of beefsteak or baked skim soy with soy sauce (protein, 86.