Relationship of transforming growth factor-beta(1) with tumour necrosis factor-alpha and endothelial activation in patients with stable renal transplantation

Aim: To evaluate whether or not transforming growth factor‐beta₁ is related to inflammation markers and to intercellular and vascular cell adhesion molecules in patients with stable renal transplantation. Methods: Serum concentrations of transforming growth factor‐beta₁, tumour necrosis factor‐alpha, C‐reactive protein and adhesion molecules were analysed in 33 renal transplanted patients, 33 patients with chronic renal insufficiency (matched to the transplanted group for level of renal function), and 33 hypertensives with normal renal function. anova , Student's t‐test and simple regression analysis were used to analyse the data. Results: Transplanted patients showed higher values than hypertensives of transforming growth factor‐beta₁, tumour necrosis factor‐alpha, C‐reactive protein and adhesion molecules (P < 0.0001 for all). Renal insufficiency group exhibited higher concentrations of transforming growth factor‐beta₁, tumour necrosis factor‐alpha, C‐reactive protein and adhesion molecules than hypertensives (P < 0.0001 for all). Transplanted and renal insufficiency patients had similar blood pressure and renal function levels, and transforming growth factor‐beta₁, tumour necrosis factor‐alpha, C‐reactive protein and adhesion molecules were not significantly different. In transplanted and in renal insufficiency groups transforming growth factor‐beta₁, adhesion molecules and tumour necrosis factor‐alpha correlated significantly each other and with glomerular filtration rate (P < 0.001 for all). Conclusion: In long‐term renal transplantation inflammation and endothelial activation biomarkers, the pro‐fibrotic cytokine transforming growth factor‐beta₁ and kidney function are interrelated. Because of the relevant role that inflammation, organ fibrosis and graft dysfunction may play against renal and cardiovascular survival of graft recipients, a better comprehension of the interactions between these variables is needed.