Glucosuria and albuminuria in diabetic nephropathy: a consideration at nanolevel

In diabetes, the appearance of albumin in the urine has long been recognized as a cardinal feature of kidney disease. Physiologically, the glomerular capillary wall provides a barrier to protein in blood not to cross into urine. However, in the pathological condition, the change in the glomerular permeability, protein can be detected in urine. Here, the author reviewed the reported size of the glomerular pore size as well as the molecular size of glucose and albumin in the literature. According to this study, it can conclude that the appearance of glucosuria in diabetic patient is due to the impairment of renal tubular function. With prolonged glucosuria, the impairment of glomerulus, decrease in pore size, develops. Finally, the albuminuria occurs as late complication. (c) 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.