title: Oxidative stress in kidney transplant biopsies.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Kidney allograft biopsies are performed after kidney transplant to determine graft dysfunction. We aimed to define and measure the oxidative stress occurring in these biopsies and compared these biopsies with donor pretransplant biopsies.
  
  
  METHODS
  The biopsy procedure was done according to the unit protocol. A core of tissue was taken for research purposes only when it was safe enough to proceed for an extra core. Common indications for biopsy were acute or chronic graft dysfunction, delayed graft function, acute cellular rejection, and calcineurin toxicity. There were 17 pretransplant biopsies taken from deceased-donor kidneys. Biopsy specimens were snap frozen immediately in liquid nitrogen and stored at -70 °C. Samples were processed for Western blot and tested for markers of oxidative stress.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 61 biopsies analyzed. Oxidative stress enzymes were evaluated by Western blot including catalase, manganese superoxide dismutase, copper zinc superoxide dismutase, thioredoxin reductase, and thioredoxin. Upregulation of most antioxidant enzymes was observed in pretransplant biopsies. Increased expression of manganese superoxide dismutase was observed in donor kidneys and kidneys with acute cellular rejection and calcineurin toxicity. Copper zinc superoxide dismutase and catalase were elevated in donor and acute cellular rejection biopsies. Thioredoxin was elevated in donor biopsies and thioredoxin reductases were elevated in donor biopsies and biopsies with acute cellular rejection and calcineurin toxicity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The kidney allograft biopsies showed that oxidative stress levels were elevated during allograft dysfunction in all biopsies regardless of diagnosis, but not significantly. The levels also were elevated in pretransplant biopsies. The study showed that oxidative stress is involved in various acute injuries occurring within the allograft.
authors.affiliation: From the Transplant Unit, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Avneesh
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: Abdul
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hammad
authors.forename: Ajay K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mc-Cardle
authors.forename: Rana
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rustom
authors.forename: Steve E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Christmas
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D064591:Allografts; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D062005:Biopsy, Large-Core Needle; D015153:Blotting, Western; D065095:Calcineurin Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D051799:Delayed Graft Function / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D065095:Calcineurin Inhibitors; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents