[A study on serum soluble interleukin-2 receptor level in the diagnosis of acute rejection in renal transplantation].

A total of 114 samples of serum soluble interleukin-2 receptor levels (sIL-2R) were dynamicly measured with enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 24 patients with renal allografts. Serum sIL-2R levels in patients with uremia were evidently higher than those in normal control group and it was markedly reduced after recovery of allograft function. The elevation of serum sIL-2R was evident in acute rejection episode and was found as early as 3-8 days before elevation of serum creatinine. Patients with cyclosporine nephrotoxicity, acute tubular necrosis and stable renal function without rejection did not have a comparable rise in sIL-2R. These data show that the level of serum sIL-2R is regarded as an important parameter for the early diagnosis of acute rejection episode. It was noted that pre-operation level of serum sIL-2R in uremic patients may foretell the possible occurrence of acute rejection episode and the prognosis after renal transplantation. It was specially emphasized that serial assay with change of sIL-2R level and comparison of the level with that before transplantation are more important than a single serum sIL-2R level assay for the early diagnosis and differential diagnosis of acute rejection.