Comparison of IL2, IL6, and TNFα Levels in Brain-Dead and Living Kidney Donors and their Relationship with Early Renal Graft Function in Kidney Recipients in Namazi Hospital, Shiraz in 2008-9

Introduction:Brain death results in increased activity of cytokines which may interfere with the transplanted renal function. The aim of the present study is to assess the cytokine levels in brain-dead and living kidney donors as well as their relationship with early renal graft function in recipients.Material and Methods:This is a case-control study on 104 kidney recipients from brain-dead and living donors. We measured the serum levels of interleukin 2 (IL2), interleukin 6 (IL6), and tumor necrotizing factor α (TNFα) of the donors prior to transplantation, and serum creatinine and urine output of the recipients following transplantation.Results:63 cases (60.6%) received kidneys from brain-dead donors (group 1) and the rest from living donors (group 2). The changes in creatinine and urine output over time were similar in both groups with no significant difference. Serum levels of IL2, IL6 and TNFα prior to transplantation were significantly higher in the brain death group compared to living donors. Serum level of IL6 prior to transplantation was significantly higher in donors whose kidneys would be acutely rejected compared to donors of kidneys which would not be rejected.Conclusion:A high level of cytokines is found in brain-dead donors prior to transplantation and among these cytokines, a high level of IL6 is related to acute renal graft rejection.