title: Cystatin C and inflammatory markers in kidney transplant recipients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Kidney transplantation is the best option for patients with end-stage renal disease. This study evaluated the profile of cystatin C (CysC), interleukin 2 (IL-2), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) as inflammatory markers in 23 living donor kidney transplant recipients.
  
  
  METHODS
  A descriptive, analytical and prospective study was conducted between January 1st, 2007 and June 30th, 2008 on 23 living donor kidney transplant recipients. The biomarkers were evaluated before and 30 and 180 days after transplantation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age of the patients was 34.3 years (± 11.7), females (52%) and non-whites (61%). Significant difference was found in cystatin C and creatinine before and 30 days after transplantation (p < 0.0001) and before and 180 days after transplantation (p < 0.0001). There was a significant difference in IL-2 between 30 and 180 days post-transplant (p = 0.0418) and in TNF-α between pre-transplant and 30 days post-transplant (p = 0.0001). A negative correlation was observed between cystatin C and TNF-α at pre-transplant and between cystatin C and IL-6 at 180 days post-transplant. Comparison of biopsied and non-biopsied patients showed a significant difference in creatinine and cystatin C at 30 and 180 days post-transplant in biopsied patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results showed no significant correlations between CysC, IL-2, IL-6 and TNF-α levels in kidney transplant recipients at short-term follow-up. Moreover, CysC levels were very similar to creatinine levels in contrast to other inflammatory markers studied in biopsied and non-biopsied patients. Further studies are important to evaluate the long-term profile of these markers.
authors.affiliation: Universidade de Brasília, Brazil. ribamarjr@hotmail.com
authors.forename: José Ribamar
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Lima
authors.forename: João Victor
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Salgado
authors.forename: Teresa Cristina
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.forename: Maria Inês
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.forename: Alcione Miranda Dos
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.forename: Natalino
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Salgado Filho
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D055316:Cystatin C / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000097:blood*; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood*; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055031:Primary Graft Dysfunction / Q000097:blood*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000097:blood*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D055316:Cystatin C; D007376:Interleukin-2; D015850:Interleukin-6; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D003404:Creatinine