Plasma platelet activating factor in nephrotic syndrome.

BACKGROUND: The mechanism of proteinuria in nephrotic syndrome is unknown. The plasma behaviour of platelet-activating factor (ng/ml) in nephrotic and normal people has been evaluated. METHODS: A total of 21 patients with nephrotic proteinuria due to glomerular pathology and 20 subjects as normal control people have been studied. Plasma PAF level is evaluated by ((125)I) RIA Kit (Du Pont NEN). RESULTS: Patients with glomerular proteinuria appeared to have a significant increase (p<0.05) plasma PAF bioactivity: 116.28+/-49.6 ng/ml versus 41.4+/-14.9 ng/ml of normal subjects. CONCLUSIONS: The study shows that PAF may be involved in the mechanism of genesis of human glomerular proteinuria.