O14
TRANSPLANTATION IS ASSOCIATED WITH NORMALISED TISSUE-ADVANCED
GLYCATION END PRODUCT DEPOSITION
Crowley, L1, Johnson, C 1, McIntyre, N 1, Fluck, R 1, McIntyre, C 2, Taal, M 1, Leung J 1
1
Department of Renal Medicine, Royal Derby Hospital, 2School of Graduate Entry Medicine and
Health, University of Nottingham
BACKGROUND: Tissue-Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are a measure of cumulative metabolic
stress. Measurement of tissue AGEs by skin autoflourescence (SAF) correlates well with cardiovascular
outcomes in diabetic and dialysis patients and is independently associated with cardiovascular risk factors in
chronic kidney disease stage 3. This study aimed to evaluate tissue AGEs in a population of renal transplant
patients for the first time.
METHODS: We studied 56 transplant patients (26 female, 30 male). Tissue AGEs were measured in
transplant recipients using a SAF reader (AGE reader, DiagnOptics). Values were compared with CKD 3
patients (on a 3:1 basis) and values from 115 dialysis patients (62 HD, 53 PD).
RESULTS: Mean value of measured SAF in the transplant patients was 2.810.64. SAF correlated most
strongly with age (r=0.28) but there was no correlation between SAF and eGFR, transplant age or renal
replacement therapy vintage. There was a significant difference between values in dialysis patients and those
found in transplant recipients but no difference between transplant and CKD stage 3. In the small number of
patients with results recorded both on dialysis and following transplantation SAF value decreased by around
25% (mean post transplant time of 16 months).
p= 0.165
p<0.001
p<0.001
DISCUSSION: Tissue AGE values in transplant patients are elevated compared to normal non CKD control
values. However they were similar to patients with established CKD 3 and significantly lower than patients
still receiving dialysis. Our data suggest that transplantation may be associated with a reduction in
accumulated tissue AGE products and this might be an important component of the observed reduction in
cardiovascular risk compared to dialysis patients.