title: Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase as the marker of kidney graft function.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) is a glycoprotein of the external surface of various cell types. The activity of GGT has been observed in cells and tissues with secretory activity, such as the proximal tubular cells in kidneys. GGT also plays an important pro-oxidant role, stimulating the generation of hydroxyl radicals, and increases membrane lipid peroxidation.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  In this study we examined whether the monitoring of GGT activity in urine may be a prognostic factor of kidney allograft function. The study enrolled 107 Caucasian renal transplant recipients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Urine samples were collected for GGT and creatinine analysis on the 1st day after transplantation, and then in the 3rd and 12th month.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Higher urine GGT activity in the 3rd month after transplantation was associated with significantly higher risk of graft failure (HR=1.063 per each U/g creatinine; 95%Cl:1.004-1.127; p=0.037) in the Cox proportional hazards model. Moreover, there were positive correlations between urine GGT and the grade of interstitial fibrosis (Rs=0.64, p=0.01) and tubular atrophy (Rs=0.54, p=0.056) in specimens collected in the 3rd month after transplantation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggest that higher urine GGT activity in the 3rd month after transplantation may be a prognostic factor of graft failure.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Department of Nephrology, Transplantology and Internal Medicine, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland.
authors.forename: Ewa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kwiatkowska
authors.affiliation: Clinical Department of Nephrology, Transplantology and Internal Medicine, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland.
authors.forename: Leszek
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Domański
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Chemistry, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland.
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bober
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Medical Chemistry, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland.
authors.forename: Krzysztof
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Safranow
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland.
authors.forename: Andrzej
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pawlik
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland.
authors.forename: Sebastian
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kwiatkowski
authors.affiliation: Clinical Department of Nephrology, Transplantology and Internal Medicine, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland.
authors.forename: Kazimierz
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ciechanowski
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001284:Atrophy; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000652:urine; D003404:Creatinine / Q000652:urine; D005355:Fibrosis; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015854:Up-Regulation; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase / Q000652:urine*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D003404:Creatinine; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase; C554782:gamma-glutamyltransferase, human