Analysis of Markers of Fibrosis Formation in Patients with Pyelonephritis

Introduction: Nowadays the scientists are actively studying the role of Galectin-3 in the process of initiation and formation of fibrotic changes. Many studies associate a high level of this marker with disease progression, inflammation processes and fibrosis formation.

Objective: To determine the level of Galectin-3 as a marker of fibrosis formation in children of an early age with pyelonephritis.

Patients and Methods: We examined 100 children of an early age suffering from pyelonephritis. The level of Galectin-3 was determined by immunoenzymatic method (ELIZA) using the kit «Human Galectin-3»

Results: High levels of Galectin-3 were discovered in babies suffering from vesicoureteral reflux (8,59±1,03ng/ml). The concentration of this marker was significantly lower in children of the comparative group (2,97±0,94 ng/ml) as well as in almost healthy children who were examined (1,5±0,19 ng/ml), р<0,01. The highest level of Galectin-3 was recorded in children who were 2-3 years old (10,3±1,34 ng/ml) which was reliably different from the level in children aged from 1 month to 1 year (5,0±0,76 ng/ml), (р<0,05).

It was established that the longer the duration of inflammatory process in kidneys, the higher was the level of pro-fibrotic factor. Thus, the reliably highest level of Galectin-3 (12,46±4,21 ng/ml) was in children who were suffering from the inflammatory process in kidneys for 6 months or longer. The children examined after three months of illness showed the level of Galectin-3 which was two times less (7,03±3,28 ng/ml), (р<0,05). The lowest level of Galectin-3 was found at the beginning of the disease (5,67±1,64 ng/ml), (р<0,01).

Conclusions: Plasmatic concentration of Galectin-3 is reliably higher in children with pyelonephritis accompanied by vesicoureteral reflux than in children with primary pyelonephritis which indicates possible formation of fibrosis in kidneys. It was established that the longer was the duration of pyelonephritis the higher were the levels of pro-fibrotic factors.