LONG-TERM FOLLOW-UP OF PLASMA ENDOTHELIN AND INTERLEUKIN-2 RECEPTOR LEVELS AFTER ORTHOTOPIC LIVER-TRANSPLANTATION IN HUMANS

In a prospective study levels of interleukin-2 receptors (Il-2-R) in s erum and of endothelin (ET) in plasma were sequentially determined in 97 patients (39 women, 58 men) before and after liver transplantation (Ltx). The aim of the study was no evaluate the correlation and the ti me course of these two parameters after Ltx. The postoperative levels of Il-2-R and ET were higher in transplant recipients with no postoper ative complications than in patients who had undergone operations to t he liver. Patients suffering from acute rejection episodes after trans plantation had more markedly increased Il-2-R and ET levels than those with an uneventful course, and this persisted for 3 months. A signifi cant rise-of Il-2-R concentrations 3-6 days before a biopsy confirmed rejection proved to have a sensitivity of 68% and a specificity of 68% respectively. A corresponding ET increase preceded rejection episodes confirmed by biopsy with a sensitivity of 62% and a specificity of 67 %, respectively. These laboratory data can be obtained daily: they can not undermine the ''gold standard'' of liver biopsy, but they are extr emely beneficial in determining the timing and indication for the live r biopsy.