Beta-Trace Protein: A New Marker Of Glomerular Filtration Rate Impairment

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between serum levels of beta-trace protein (BTP) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR).GFR, serum levels of BTP, creatinine (Creat), cystatin C (Cys) and beta2-microglobulin (beta2M), were measured in 100 renal patients, with renal function ranging from normality to advanced renal failure.Serum levels of BTP progressively increased with the reduction of GFR. A very close logarithmic correlation was found between GFR and serum levels of BTP (r=0.9172), Creat (r=0.9219), Cys (r=0.9244), and beta2M (r=0.9195). Furthermore, the diagnostic accuracy of BTP, Creat, Cys, and beta2M, as indicators of a moderate GFR impairment, was similar.In conclusion, BTP seems a suitable marker of GFR.