Comparison of Copper Concentration Between Rejected Renal Grafts and Cancerous Kidneys

Abstract

In the body, disorders in the composition and concentration of trace elements, including copper, can lead to the development of various alterations that may result in incorrect functioning of the kidneys. Data on the concentrations of copper in human kidneys are discussed; however, little is known about the concentration of trace elements within rejected renal grafts and kidneys with tumor lesions. The aim of our study was to compare the copper concentration between cancerous kidneys and rejected renal grafts with the division on renal cortex and renal medulla. Material consisted of kidneys from patients hospitalized at the Department of Urology and General Surgery and Transplantation of the Independent Public Clinical Hospital No. 2 at the Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, north-western Poland. The study material consisted of kidneys with tumor lesions ( n = 33), and renal grafts ( n = 10), obtained from patients belongs to the north-western areas of Poland. The examination was performed using ICP-AES method. Regarding the pathological kidneys, excluding grafts, the concentration of Cu in the renal cortex was 52% higher than in medullary region and the difference between the compared concentrations was statistically confirmed ( p < 0.05). Taking into account renal grafts, the concentration of Cu in the medulla was slightly lower than in the cortex (less than 3%). In summary, copper in rejected and cancerous kidneys tends to accumulate in higher amount in the renal cortex than medulla, what can be explained by the fact that renal corpuscles, where the first phase of filtration is performed, are located only in the cortical region of the kidney. Furthermore, renal grafts accumulate significantly less copper than kidneys with neoplastic changes, what could have been caused by immunosuppressive medicines used by the graft recipients. The lower copper concentration in renal grafts could be a consequence of the altered immune system, including inflammatory process or/and non-immune mechanisms. Additionally, cancerous and non-cancerous kidneys exhibit different perfusion rate in renal glomeruli, what can finally lead to disparity in chemical elements concentration, including copper.

Arsenic and Selenium Profile in Erythrocytes of Renal Transplant Recipients

“…Furthermore, immunosuppressive drugs intake may lead to altered heavy metal level in renal tissue, which has been already documented in our previous studies [24]. Moreover, we observed and documented decreased levels of vanadium and copper in renal grafts [25,26]. Kidney transplant recipients, besides drugs, are exposed to many various external factors that may lead to various organ dysfunction.…”

Benefits and risks of essential trace elements in chronic kidney disease: a narrative review

“…Zn supplementation significantly increases plasma Zn concentration, decreases Cu concentration and Cu/Zn ratio, and decreases C-reactive protein and pro-inflammatory cytokines concentrations in HD patients ( 172 ). Cu concentration in the kidney decreases significantly after transplantation, possibly due to inflammation and immune system changes caused by immunosuppressive drugs used by the graft recipient ( 173 ).…”

Serum Selenium, Iron, Zinc, and Copper Concentrations in Renal Transplant Recipients Treated with Mycophenolate Mofetil

“…Our previous study indicated that cadmium, lead, and mercury concentrations are statistically lower in renal grafts than in cancerous kidneys [32]. Moreover, we documented decreased levels of vanadium and copper in renal grafts [33,35]. This may have been caused by the immunosuppressive drugs used by the transplant recipients.…”

“…Numerous studies have examined the effect of exogenous factors-including smoking, diet, and amalgam-on heavy metal, macroelement, and microelement concentrations in various organs and tissues, including blood [3,14,32,35]. However, little is still known about the effect of various medicines, including immunosuppressive drugs, on the blood levels of these chemical elements.…”