Assessment of the Relationship Between Inflammation and Glomerular Filtration Rate.

BACKGROUND

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global health problem. As it progresses to end stages, renal replacement therapy is required but ultimately, the best treatment is transplantation. Decreased renal function has been associated with an inflammatory state associated to primary CKD and in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs).

OBJECTIVE

To establish how the serum concentrations of some cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-2, IL-8, IL-22, IL-17α, interferon-gamma, IL-4, and transforming growth factor-β, correlate with various CKD stages.

METHODS

One hundred and forty-one KTRs between the ages of 18 and 75 years were included in the study. We also included 112 live kidney donors, 37 CKD PG, and 76 GP. Participants were grouped according to their glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and their circulating cytokine levels, previously quantified by ELISA.

RESULTS

By linear regression analysis, we established the relation of each cytokine with the GFR. Transforming growth factor-β correlated positively with the GFR in the study population, except in healthy individuals. A negative correlation of IL-8 and IL-17α and GFR was found in all cases.

CONCLUSIONS

Whether these cytokines (IL-8 and IL-17α) could be used as inflammatory biomarkers indicating CKD progression, regardless of the type of population, remains to be prospectively determined.