SOLUBLE INTERLEUKIN-2 RECEPTORS AND BETA-2-MICROGLOBULIN IN PATIENTS WITH PRIMARY GLOMERULONEPHRITIS

Serum levels of soluble interleukin-2 receptors (IL2R) and of beta2-mi croglobulin (beta2M) were studied with the immunoenzymatic technique i n 38 patients with primary glomerulonephritis (GN), in 10 patients wit h essential hypertension (EH) and in 30 healthy subjects. IL2R correla ted with beta2M (p < 0.05). IL2R and beta2M were higher in patients wi th GN (p < 0.003, p < 0.001, respectively) and in patients with EH (p < 0.003, p < 0.01, respectively) than in healthy subjects. IL2R and be ta2M Correlated with serum creatinine, but not with proteinuria. Our d ata would suggest the existence of lymphocyte activation in patients w ith GN. Only speculations can be advanced with regard to the observed increase in these parameters in patients.