SDS-PAGE is underutilized as a tool for investigating renal patients

SDS-PAGE is an excellent single test for investigating proteinuria. It can provide much useful information on the underlying renal problem. Yet the literature hardly report a SDS-PAGE result in the management of renal patients. To examine how closely SDS-PAGE results may reflect biopsy findings, we investigated 11 patients scheduled for renal biopsy. Urine samples were taken at the same time for SDS-PAGE analysis using the PhastSystem (Pharmacia, Sweden). Comparing biopsy findings and SDS-PAGE results, the data show consistency in the revelation of tubular dysfunction and/or glomerular damage in all 11 patients. We concluded that the SDS-PAGE test is underutilized and suggest that its role for the management of renal patients be fully explored particularly in its potential for reducing the need for renal biopsy in certain patient groups.