Increased plasma levels of 6-0x0-prostaglandin F1∝, a stable metabolite of prostacyclin, in acute kidney transplant rejection

In 30 patients after kidney transplantation, 6-oxo-PGF_1∝ was examined in unextracted plasma by a specific radioimmunoassay. The material was divided into three groups. Patients with acute transplant rejection showing the highest 6-oxo-PGF_1∝-levels, patients with delayed transplant rejection having significantly lower plasma values and a third group of patients with stable transplant function. In these patients the plasma 6oxo-PGF_1∝-values were below the lower limit of detection (70 pg/ml). The enchanced 6-oxo-PGF_1∝ during rejection crisis could be interpreted as a self protection meachanism of vascular tissue which is, however, not sufficient in many cases, to prevent the irreversible rejection of the transplant.