Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Expression and Vascularity in Renal Allograft Biopsies (original) (raw)

To evaluate the relation between cortical and medullary peritubular capillaries (PTCs) and scarring. Th ere are presently no studies about medullary PTCs in renal allograft biopsies. Materials and methods: Nonprotocol allograft biopsies were evaluated and 41 with adequate medullary and cortical tissues were selected. Vascular structures were counted separately at the medulla and cortex on anti-CD34 stained sections. Other histopathological and clinical fi ndings were retrieved from the patient fi les. Results: A weak but positive correlation was found between the number of cortical vascular structures (nVC) and medullary vascular structures (nVM). Th e nVC and nVM were decreased in cases with increased renal scarring; however, this was not statistically signifi cant. A moderate negative correlation was found between nVC and blood creatinine (Cr) at the time of biopsy (P = 0.045, r =-0.32), but not between nVM and Cr. A moderate negative correlation was detected between both nVC and nVM and the most recent Cr (P = 0.01, r =-0.54 and P = 0.03, r =-0.51). Conclusion: nVC might be a valuable prognostic marker, as described previously. Th e relation between the latest Cr and nVM suggests that nVM might also be of value, a novel fi nding requiring further investigation. Th e weak correlation between nVC and nVM, which is described here for the fi rst time, may point to unequal responses of the cortex and medulla to injurious factors.