Serum levels of alpha-1 microglobulin in recipients of renal allografts

Abstract

Abstract. Serum levels of α1 microglobulin (s-α1m) in 92 recipients of renal transplants were elevated during pretransplant uremia (P < 0. 001), acute rejection (P < 0. 01), and cyclosporin-induced nephrotoxicity (P < 0. 01). In patients with stable renal function, those treated with cyclosporin had higher s-αim than those receiving azathioprine: 81 ± 4 and 64 ± 3 mg/l (mean ± SEM), respectively (P < 0. 05). The serum creatinine levels were 127 ± 5 and 115 ± 7μmol/l (mean ± SEM), respectively (N. S.). Two of the patients with normal serum creatinine had normal s-α1m levels. There were positive linear correlations between s-α1m and serum creatinine levels during stable renal function, rejection, cyclosporin-induced nephrotoxicity, and cytomegalovirus infections (r= 0. 7–0. 8, P < 0. 01–0. 001) and between s-α1m and β2 microglobulin (β2m) during the same conditions (r= 0. 5–0. 8, P < 0. 01 -0. 001). During infections, serum creatinine and β2m increased (P< 0. 001), but s-α1m did not. S-α1m values did not distinguish between rejection and cyclosporin-induced nephrotoxicity. It is concluded that s-α1m might be a valuable complement to serum creatinine levels in the evaluation of renal function in renal transplant recipients.