Abstract Background and Objectives Beta-2 microglobulin ( b 2MG) is a low weight molecular protein (mol wt: 11800) synthesized by all nucleated cells and originally isolated from human urine in patients with renal failure. Increased b 2MG levels have been reported in rejection of transplantation, in patients with lymphocytic leukemia, hematological malignant disease and especially in patients with multiple myeloma. The aim of this study is to evaluate serum b 2MG and some related factors in patients with monoclonal and polyclonal gammapathy. Materials and Methods This study is a cross - sectional study and we select patients by non - random method. We studied 8 patients with gammapathy for 3 months. They were 10-26 years old. Serum b 2MG concentration was measured by ELISA method and serum CRP was done by qualitative latex method. Serum creatinine level was measured according to colotimetric Jaffe reaction. The separation of serum globulins was conducted by cellulose acetate protein electrophoresis. Immunoglobulin levels were measured by Radial Immunodiffusion (RID) method. We use SPSS statistic program and spearmen's index (Rho) to estimate correlation between parameters in this study. Results Serum b 2MG levels increased in 87.5% of patients with monoclonal gammapathy. Serum CRP levels also increased in patients with monoclonal gammapathy. According to statistical results, there was a high correlation between increased CRP and b 2MG levels in patients (Rho=0.693, p<0.05). However, serum b 2MG and creatinine levels both had been increased only in 40% of patients. In evaluation of serum protein electrophoresis, in one patient with renal failure, there was a sharp peak in gamma globulin region. Conclusions This study indicated that quantitative measurement of serum creatinine, serum b 2MG, serum CRP and evaluation of monoclonal band in serum protein electrophoresis can be strong factors for staging the disease and predicting the survival and prognosis in patients with monoclonal gammapathy. So evaluation of these factors is recommended for follow up of patients in relapse and remission stages. It is better to further evaluate and study the main role of these factors in predicting and diagnosing multiple myeloma as well. Key words: Monoclonal gammapathy, Beta2 microglobulin, C-Reactive Protein (CRP), Creatinine, Electrophoresis, Immunoglobulin |
