Changes in total serum glycosaminoglycan levels in patients undergoing renal transplantation: preliminary data.
OBJECTIVE
To study the involvement of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) in the immunological process of renal disease. They are related to cytokines, which are known to play an important role in acute graft rejection after renal transplantation.


METHODS
We studied 40 patients on maintenance hemodialysis for chronic renal failure, who underwent renal transplantation from a live donor. We measured serum GAGs preoperatively, intraoperatively, and on postoperative days (PODs) 2 and 10. The clinical outcome and other biochemical markers, such as blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine, were also recorded.


RESULTS
The total serum GAG levels decreased after renal transplantation in patients with normal graft function (group N). However, in patients with acute graft rejection post-transplantation (group R), the GAG levels remained significantly elevated.


CONCLUSIONS
Total serum GAGs fluctuate in renal transplantation and their association with graft rejection should be investigated further.
Department of Experimental Pharmacology, Medical School, University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias Street, Athens 115 27, Greece.
Eleni G
EG
Papaioannou
Christina
C
Magkou
Alkiviadis
A
Kostakis
Chryssoula
C
Staikou
Panagiota
P
Mitsoula
Stylianos
S
Kyriakides
Nikolaos M
NM
Sitaras
D000328:Adult; D001806:Blood Urea Nitrogen; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans / Q000097:blood*; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D008297:Male; D006435:Renal Dialysis
D006025:Glycosaminoglycans; D003404:Creatinine