[Alpha 1-antitrypsin level in serum of dialyzed and renal transplant patients (author's transl)].

alpha 1-Antitrypsin in serum was determined by radial immunodiffusion in 30 healthy persons, 18 dialyzed patients and 11 renal transplant recipients with an observation time up to 24 months after surgery. There was no significant difference in serum alpha 1-antitrypsin concentrations in dialyzed patients when compared to the controls (2570 +/- 570 and 2280 +/- 450 mg/l respectively). alpha 1-Antitrypsin concentration increased significantly from the first day after successful renal transplantation, then decreased again 10 days thereafter. Long term follow up controls 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months respectively after surgery--with a good renal transplant function--revealed values within the normal range. An acute rejection episode of the transplant was connected with a significant increase of alpha 1-antitrypsin concentration in the serum. Determination of alpha 1-antitrypsin level in serum can be useful in the diagnosis and prognosis of acute renal transplant rejection.