URINE LEVELS OF TRANSFORMING-GROWTH-FACTOR-BETA-1 IN CHILDREN WITH URETEROPELVIC JUNCTION OBSTRUCTION

Objectives. To determine if there are measurable quantities of transfo rming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) in the urine of children with either normal or pathologic conditions of the urinary tract, specifica lly vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) and ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO). We also sought to determine if the urine TGF-beta level could distinguish between renal obstruction and no obstruction. Methods. Pr eoperative bladder urine from consecutive patients undergoing pyelopla sty (UPJO group; n = 13), ureteral reimplantation (VUR group; n = 11), or circumcision/orchiopexy (control group; n = 19) as well as urine f rom the renal pelvis of the UPJO group was collected. The urine level of TGF-beta 1 was measured using a quantitative sandwich enzyme immuno assay technique. Results. Urine level of TGF-beta 1 was detected in ea ch group: control (26.6 +/- 6.3 pg/mL), reflux (22.1 +/- 9.6), UPJO-pe lvic urine (82.4 +/- 19.3), UPJO-bladder urine (31.2 +/- 8.2). The uri ne TGF-beta 1 concentration in pelvic urine in the UPJO group was sign ificantly higher than that in bladder urine in children in the UPJO gr oup (P = 0.03). TGF-beta 1 concentrations were similar from the bladde r of children in all three study groups (P = NS). Conclusions. Urine T GF-beta 1 is detectable in children with normal and pathologic urinary tracts. The level of this urine marker is elevated in the renal pelvi s of children with UPJO compared to the level in the bladder of either obstructed or nonobstructed upper urinary tracts. (C) 1997, Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.