Urinary and pancreatic juice neopterin excretion after combined pancreas-kidney transplantation.

The aim of this study was to investigate excretion of urinary and pancreatic juice neopterin in patients after combined pancreas-kidney transplantation and to relate it to the clinical course. The study design was a prospective observation study. Thirty consecutive patients with end-stage diabetic disease received a simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplant with pancreaticocystostomy and temporary exteriorization of pancreatic juice. In 30 patients urinary neopterin (UN) was measured daily from day +1 until hospital discharge by high-performance liquid chromatography; in ten of these 30 patients pancreatic juice neopterin (PJN) was additionally analyzed daily from day +1 for as long as pancreatic juice was diverted to the exterior. Elevated urinary neopterin levels were observed in acute cellular rejection (19/24 rejection episodes) and in bacterial infection (9/16 cases)--however, increments were more pronounced in acute cellular rejection. In contrast, pancreatic juice neopterin increased in all seven observed pancreatic graft rejection episodes. Pancreatic juice infection did not result in a rise in pancreatic juice neopterin excretion. Patients without postoperative complications exhibited stable and low urinary/pancreatic juice neopterin levels. The highest urinary neopterin levels were observed in CMV disease. Levels measured prior to discharge from hospital did not correlate with graft and patient survival. Evaluation of urinary and pancreatic juice neopterin, although nonspecific, helps identify patients with an uncomplicated or complicated clinical course. Pancreatic juice neopterin appears to be superior to urinary neopterin in early detection of pancreatic graft rejection. This may be of particular importance in monitoring nonuremic pancreas allograft recipients.