Role of Transforming Growth Factor-β in Hypertensive Living Kidney Donors

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is involved in the pathogenesis of hypertension and the development of hypertensive target organ damage. TGF-β may promote blood pressure elevation through several mechanisms. The identification of risk factors of hypertension in living kidney donors may provide proper postoperative management.

The objective of the study was to determine the serum TGF-β concentration in living kidney donors after nephrectomy.

A total of 66 living donor open nephrectomies were performed in the Department of General and Transplantation Surgery at the Medical University of Warsaw between 1995 and 2005. Forty living kidney donors reported for the follow-up. Physical examination, blood and urine tests, ECG, ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, cardiac sonography, and ophthalmoscopy were performed. Serum TGF-β concentration was measured by ELISA. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 13.0.

The mean observation period was 65.6 months. The mean donor age at the time of donation and at the follow-up visit was 40.7 and 46.2, respectively. Hypertension was observed in 24% women and in 37% men after surgery. The significantly higher frequency of hypertension was observed after nephrectomy (P = .001). The strongest predictor of hypertension was age. The mean serum TGF-β concentration was 39.3 ng/mL. No significant differences were observed between hypertensive and normotensive donors (P = .061). A significantly higher TGF-β concentration was found 4 and 5 years after donation (P = .02).

TGF-β is not associated with hypertension and glomerular filtration rate in living kidney donors after nephrectomy. Careful monitoring of hypertension in living kidney donors after nephrectomy is essential.