Ashwin Srinivas, Keshavprakash Viruthagiri, Reena Jose David Xavier, Purnima Ramkumar, Vidya Thirupathipannaiyam Ananthakrishnan
İstanbul Medical Journal - 2026;27(2):112-115
Introduction: Intrinsic acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common and serious syndrome characterized by direct injury to the renal tubules. Although blood creatinine and urea are frequently used to evaluate renal function, they do not sufficiently indicate current tubular damage. Urinary beta 2 microglobulin ( beta2M) is a lower molecular mass protein reabsorbed via proximal tubules, functions as a possible biomarker for tubular injury and recovery. Methods: A prospective observational study was carried out over a period of 18 months in the general medicine department of SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Center, enrolling 43 patients over 18 years of age who were diagnosed with AKI. Individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and pre- or post-renal etiologies of AKI were eliminated. Renal parameters such as serum urea, creatinine, urine beta2M, electrolytes, complete hemogram, and regular urine analysis, were assessed on admission, 1st, and 3rd months. Ultrasonography was employed to distinguish AKI from CKD. Data were examined to evaluate changes in renal variables over time. Results: On admission, all patients exhibited elevated levels of urea, creatinine, and urinary beta2M. At three months, serum urea and creatinine levels normalized in all patients, although 77.8% still exhibited elevated beta2M levels. Notable mean decreases were recorded in urea, creatinine, and beta2M of 13.22 mg/dL, 0.74 mg/dL and 11.2 µg/L respectively from starting period to three months. No statistically significant correlation was identified between gender and renal parameters. Conclusion: Urinary beta2M serves as a significant biomarker for identifying ongoing tubular injury in intrinsic AKI, despite the normalization of standard renal indicators.
