How to control high urine protein?

High urine protein means that the protein content in the urine is too high, beyond the normal range. The production of urine protein is closely related to kidney abnormalities. So how to control high urine protein?

Nephrology experts say that the production of urinary protein is closely related to kidney damage, which is determined by the structure and function of the kidneys. The kidneys have the function of filtering blood and preventing large molecular proteins and blood cells from leaking out. Once the kidneys are damaged, this function of the kidneys will be impaired, resulting in large or small amounts of protein leaking out. This is also the reason why many kidney diseases such as nephrotic syndrome, chronic nephritis, diabetic nephropathy, etc. will cause high urine protein. How does the kidney achieve this function?

Renal intrinsic cells play an important role in this function of the kidney. The main ones are glomerular capillary endothelial cells and glomerular hair cell epithelial cells. As shown in the figure above, the cells are densely arranged, and gaps of varying sizes are formed between or on the cells, which we call "pores."

Due to the existence of the pore size, a natural barrier is formed to prevent the leakage of large molecular proteins and blood cells. This barrier can filter blood like a sieve. We call this function a mechanical barrier.

In addition, since both the basement membrane and proteins carry negative charges, they can also prevent large molecular proteins from leaking out due to the principle of repulsion between oppositely charged nuclei. We call this function a charge barrier.

Once the kidneys are damaged, these renal intrinsic cells that play a barrier role will degenerate and atrophy due to the damage, and the mechanical barrier and charge barrier functions will be weakened. As a result, the pore size becomes larger and the charge disappears, making it impossible to prevent proteins and blood cells from passing through the barrier. They enter the filtrate and are excreted from the body in the urine. Clinically, high urine protein and occult blood in the urine are detected, and the urine protein test is +(++, +++) and occult blood +(++, +++). It turns out that the protein in the urine leaks out from the enlarged pores between the intrinsic cells of the kidney! How to prevent proteinuria?

In fact, high urine protein is not as difficult to deal with as imagined. As long as you avoid misunderstandings in the treatment of high urine protein and choose the right treatment method for kidney disease, you can say goodbye to high urine protein completely.