title: Urinary interleukin-6 (IL-6) and transforming growth factor (TGF-β) levels in corticosteroidtreated patients with IgA nephropathy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) are implicated in the progression of IgA nephropathy, which is usually treated with corticosteroids.
  
  
  METHODS
  Urinary IL-6 and TGF-β were measured in 21 proteinuric patients with IgA nephropathy, before and after treatment with corticosteroids, to estimate the activity of the disease after remission of proteinuria.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Urinary IL-6 and TGF-β levels at diagnosis were significantly higher in patients with IgA nephropathy compared to healthy subjects. TGF-β levels, were significantly higher in patients with proteinuria > 1 g/24 h and/or severe mesangial proliferation. Although a significant reduction of proteinuria was observed with corticosteroid treatment, urinary IL-6 and TGF-β levels remained elevated. Deterioration of renal function over a period of 5 years was observed in 3 patients. High urinary IL-6 levels at diagnosis represent a significant parameter distinguishing patients with progressive course in comparison to those with favorable clinical outcome (p = 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Treatment of patients with IgA nephropathy with corticosteroids is followed by remission of proteinuria but still increased urinary IL-6 and TGF-β excretion. This may be related to an ongoing inflammatory process within the kidney, and further research is required to estimate the value of urinary IL-6 and TGF-β as markers of activity of the disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine-Nephrology, University Hospital, Patras, Greece.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kalliakmani
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Nakopoulou
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tsakas
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gerolymos
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Papasotiriou
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Goumenos
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005922:Glomerulonephritis, IGA / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000652:urine*; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000652:urine*; D007668:Kidney / Q000473:pathology*; D007677:Kidney Function Tests; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011507:Proteinuria / Q000652:urine*; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000652:urine*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D015850:Interleukin-6; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta