Effect of Hypertonic Saline 5% on Early Graft Function and Urinary Interleukin 18 and Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin in Deceased-Donor Kidney Transplantation

Ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI) is one of the main causes of delayed graft function (DGF) in deceased-donor kidney transplantation (DDKT). Evidences suggest that hypertonic saline (HS) has beneficial effects on IRI. The objective of the present study is to determine the effect of intraoperative HS, on graft function and urinary biomarkers of interleukin 18 (IL-18) and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), in patients with DDKT. The design of the study is a randomized, open-label, pilot trial in patients with DDKT. The intervention of the study is administration of 4 mL/kg HS, 5% before graft reperfusion. The primary endpoint was DGF. Fifty-eight (58) adult patients were randomized (HS, n = 32; control, n = 26). There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of recipient, donor, and transplant characteristics. The rate of DGF was 20% in the HS group compared with 31.8% in the control group (Relative risk 0.63; 95% CI 0.23–1.67; P = 0.36). Serial serum creatinine in the first two days after surgery in addition to urine volumes during the first day after transplantation was significantly different in the HS group (P ≤ 0.05). The urinary NGAL and IL-18 were significantly lower in HS vs. control, at 24 h after transplantation (P ≤ 0.05). The frequency of adverse reactions was similar between groups. This study did not show any significant benefits from HS administration immediately before allograft reperfusion in terms of reducing DGF, serum creatinine at hospital discharge or length of hospital stay in deceased-donor kidney transplant patients.