Determination of serum copeptin levels in kidney transplant recipients with chronic rejection

Objectives: Rejection is the most important problem in kidney transplant patients. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether serum copeptin levels of kidney transplant patients are an important marker without rejection, and to determine whether there is a correlation between rejection and copeptin. If there is a correlation, the follow-up of copeptin levels in renal transplant patients, will provide guiding information about the progression and enable the treatment to start early. If serum copeptin levels are found to be significantly higher, prevention of rejection even in a few patients in the future will be a very important development in the field of health. Method: Serum samples previously collected from transplant patients in Akdeniz University Immunology Laboratory and stored at -80 degrees were included in the study. Serum copeptin levels were determined by ELISA method (Phoenix Pharmaceuticals. Inc. Copeptin (Human) EIA Kit Cat. no: EK-065-32, USA). Results: 56 patients were included in the study. Of the patients, 12 (21.4%) were female and 44 (78.6%) were male. The average age of the study group is 45,09. Patients with rejection were divided into 4 subgroups: These groups are 1) Chronic humoral (28.6%), 2) Tubilit (30.4%), 3) Acute Humoral (14.3%), 4) T cell-mediated rejection group (3,6%). In addition, 13 patients who did not develop rejection were determined as the control group (23.2%). Copeptin levels of the groups were 9.26±27.31 in the control group, 1.38±1.16 in the chronic humoral group, 1.43±1.55 in tubilitis group, 0.20±0.56 in acute humoral group, and 2 in the T cell-mediated rejection group. It was found to be 2.83±0.24 ng/mL. Conclusion: When we compared copeptin levels in transplant patients, there was no statistical difference between the groups with and without rejection. However, when we examined the rejection subgroups, it was found statistically significantly lower in acute humoral rejection compared to the group that did not develop rejection. Keywords: Copeptin, rejection, transplantation, ELISA