Evaluation of pretransplant serum cytokine levels in renal transplant recipients

Aim. Cytokines are early predictors of graft dysfunction. In this study we evaluated pretransplant cytokine levels and graft outcomes among renal transplant recipients. Patients and methods. Donor selection was based on results of blood group matching and negative crossmatches. A panel of 35 human serum samples from patients (female/male = 0.4) awaiting renal transplantation and 15 healty control sera were analyzed for interleukin (IL) 1 alpha, IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interferon-gamma, transforming growth factor-beta concentrations by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The average age of the patients was 34.5+/-10.1 years (range 15 to 60). The average duration of renal replacement therapy before renal transplantation was 42.1+/-57.9 months (range 0 to 288). The types of renal replacement therapy were; hemodialysis (n = 27) and CAPD (n = 8). Results. Pretransplant IL-6 levels were higher among recipients who displayed acute rejection episodes compared with those fact of this complications (P <.05) or control sera (P <.05). Pretransplant IL-6 levels were higher among recipients with graft failure than those with a functioning graft (P <.05). Pretransplant IL-10 levels were higher among recipients with acute rejection episodes and graft failure than those without acute rejection or control subjects, but the difference did not reach significance. There was no correlation between pretransplant cytokine levels and age, gender, type, or duration of renal replacement therapy (P >.05). Conclusion. High pretransplant serum IL-6 levels are associated with an increased risk of acute rejection episodes and graft failure. IL-10 might contribute an anti-inflammatory action to patients with high serum IL-6 levels.