Uptake of indium-111 labelled platelets by normal, nephrotic and transplanted kidneys

To determine the role of platelets in the genesis of renal transplant (T) rejection, the authors studied 3 groups of adult patients. Group I, n=8, had normal renal function (Cr=1 +- 0.1 mg%, Mean +- SD). Group II, n=9, had nephrotic syndrome (Cr=2.4 +- 1). Group III, n=7, consisted of 5 cadaveric (C) and 2 living related donor (LRD) T. In Group II, 1 patient had received a T 4 years prior to study. Group I and II received 448 +- 101 μCi and Group III 236 +- 51 μCi of Indium-111. In Groups I and II the first image was obtained 18 +- 6 hrs after injection. In Group II the first was obtained 6 +- 2 hr after injection and 1-3 times/day thereafter for a maximum of 7 days. Renal biopsies were obtained in all patients in Group III during imaging (n=5) or within 2 - 5 days of the last image. One patient was studied twice. In Group III, 5 patients received prednisone and azothiaprine and 2 prednisone and cyclosporine. Platelet uptake index (PUI) was calculated as the ratio of uptake over the T against a reference area. Rejection was diagnosed by biopsy. In groups I and II platelet uptake was seen only in the T patient. In Group III the PUI was 1.54 +- .13 in the rejecting T (n=5), 1.42 +- .2 in the non-rejecting T (n=3), 1.62 in a LRD non-rejecting T and 1.31 (n=2) in C non-rejecting T. In the four patients studied within 5 days of T the PUI was elevated at 1.47 +- .1. The authors conclude that: 1) platelets do not accumulate in normal or nephrotic native kidneys, 2) significant uptake occurs in the first week after C and LRD whether or not rejection is present, and 3) uptake in non-rejecting kidneys cannot be ascribed to perfusion induced endothelial injury since it was present in LRD transplants