Tamm-Horsfall protein excretion to predict the onset of renal insufficiency.
OBJECTIVE
Immunosuppressive therapy after liver transplantation may be a risk for kidney dysfunction. This work was designed to determine whether Tamm-Horsfall Protein (THP) could be considered as a marker for nephrotoxicity.


METHODS
THP was determined by an ELISA method in serial 24-h urine from liver transplant patients. Fourteen patients suffered renal insufficiency (LTr(1)) and 20 showed no acute renal damage (LTr(2)) after liver transplantation.


RESULTS
No clear association could be seen between daily THP excretion and plasma creatinine levels by comparing serial samples collected at the same time. Nevertheless, significant differences were observed in pretransplant THP excretion between both groups of patients. The results (Median/Interquartile Range) were:


METHODS
113.2/84.9 to 146.8 mg/24 h (n = 30); LTr(1): 36.9/18.3 to 54.5 mg/24 h (p<<0.001 with respect to C and LTr(2)); LTr(2): 90.8/61.5 to 139.7 mg/24 h.


CONCLUSIONS
The higher pretransplant synthesis and/or secretion of THP seem to have a protective role on the kidney during and after liver transplantation.
Romero
María C
MC
Departmento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, (1428), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina. cris@qb.fcen.uba.ar
Zanaro
Noemí
N
González
Liliana
L
Trigo
Pedro
P
Imventarza
Oscar
O
Nesse
Alcira
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000652:urine*; D003404:Creatinine / Q000652:urine; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007118:Immunoassay; D007668:Kidney / Q000502:physiology; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009088:Mucoproteins / Q000652:urine*; D051437:Renal Insufficiency / Q000652:urine*; D013997:Time Factors; D058949:Uromodulin
D015415:Biomarkers; D009088:Mucoproteins; C548612:UMOD protein, human; D058949:Uromodulin; D003404:Creatinine