Abstract
Urinary γ-carboxyglutamic acid (γ-Gla) levels were determined in healthy subjects of all ages. The urinary γ-Gla levels were highest in infants (0-1 years), then fell in an age-dependent manner, again in subjects reaching a minimum value in adults, then gradually increased over 60 years of age. Urinary γ-Gla levels therefore change markedly with aging. The relationships between the urinary γ-Gla excretion and plasma levels of prothrombin and protein C in patients with various hepatic diseases or diabetes mellitus were examined and compared with those in healthy adults. Both plasma prothrombin and protein C levels were decreased in all patients with liver disease compared with healthy adults. In patients with hepatitis and liver cirrhosis, the decrease did not, however, affect the γ-Gla excretion. In addition, in patients with hepatoma or carcinoma with liver metastases, the urinary γ-Gla levels were increased. In patients with diabetes mellitus, the urinary γ-Gla levels and plasma levels of prothrombin and protein C tended to increase, but this was not significant. The present results indicate that simultaneous measurement of the levels of urinary γ-Gla and plasma prothrombin and protein C is a useful tool for the diagnosis of liver diseases and diabetes mellitus.
