Zinc changes after renal allotransplantation

In 72 patients the plasma zinc concentration and the urinary zinc excretion were studied immediately after renal allotransplantation and during a 7 1/2-year follow-up period. The plasma zinc concentration was below that of healthy control subjects during the first three weeks after transplantation (mean 39 microgram/dl) and returned to the control level within the subsequent four weeks. The urinary zinc excretion and correspondingly the urinary zinc/creatinine ratio (> 1.0 microgram/mg) were increased during the first week after transplantation. During the remainder of the observation period, both plasma and urinary zinc were within the control range. The observed changes parallel those reported after major operations. We could not detect any influence exerted by acute or chronic rejection, serious infection, or corticosteroid therapy.