Urinary N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase and beta 2-microglobulin in 'itai-itai' disease.

N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) activity in urine was measured in patients with 'itai-itai' disease, from chronically advanced cadmium poisoning. Elevation of NAG activity, however, was not so marked as that of beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2-MG) in the urine of patients and suspected patients. We conclude that the beta 2-MG test is more valuable than the NAG test for evaluating the severity of the renal tubular damage in chronically advanced cadmium (Cd) poisoning.