The Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
Abstract
Background: the aim of this work is to demonstrate that the value of the mean transit time (MTT) obtained from the 99mTc-MAG3 renogram deconvolution is related to the levels of adenine nucleotides determined in cortical biopsies from transplanted kidneys. Methods: the functional state was estimated by means of the MTT and the initial height (H0) of the renal retention function obtained from the 99mTc-MAG3 renogram deconvolution and by the measure of adenine nucleotides obtained from biopsies. We studied 30 kidney graft recipients, 25 normal functioning grafts (NFG) and 5 with acute tubular necrosis (ATN). Results: the MTT is significantly longer for ATN (p < 0.001). The initial uptake values (H0) are significantly lower for ATN (p < 0.001). The sum of adenine nucleotides (SAN) is significantly greater for NFG than for ATN (p < 0.001). The values of the MTT seem to reflect the energy state of the cells in transplanted kidney. Conclusion: the analysis of MTT may be indicative of the functional metabolic recovery and thus it may be predictive of the renal graft function at least in the same extent than the biochemical analysis of a cortical renal biopsy immediately after blood reperfusion of the tissue
