Diabetic nephropathy may cause elevated urinary β2-MG.
β2-MG can be freely filtered through the glomerulus because of its small molecular weight and non-binding to plasma proteins. However, 99.9% of β₂-MG in the original urine is reabsorbed and degraded in the proximal tubules, and only a trace amount is excreted with the urine; therefore, determination of the in the urine is of clinical value for the monitoring of the tubular reabsorption function.
Early pathological changes of diabetic nephropathy are mainly thickening of glomerular/tubular basement membrane and widening of the tunica albuginea region, which can be manifested as impaired glomerular filtration and abnormal tubular function, and auxiliary examination suggests that urinary microalbumin and urinary β2-MG are elevated.
When urinary β2-MG abnormalities occur, it is recommended to go to a regular hospital in a timely manner, and follow the doctor’s instructions for standardized treatment.