HPLC suggests urine collections for renal analysis

Studies conducted using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) have identified timed urine collections as having numerous potential benefits for renal patients.

For instance, the team - comprising scientists from the Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center - say pharmacodynamic effects of renal therapies can be monitored through urine.

Their findings, published in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, adds that urine collections can also provide information about curcumin dosing.

In the study, the team used HPLC to measure curcuminoids in mice as part of attempts to modulate the release of albumin, a key issue in combating diabetes.

"Curcumin has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-proliferative properties," they write.

"Many of these biological actions could ameliorate diabetic nephropathy," they add.

However, despite seeing some impact on a number of different criteria, no benefit in terms of albuminuria was seen during the study.

The journal is dedicated to therapies that could either replace existing courses of treatment, or provide adjunctive components to conventional medicines.