HSP27 and HSP70 serum and urine levels in patients suffering from chronic kidney disease

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a condition associated with inflammation and high levels of uremic toxins and reactive oxygen species. As a counterregulation to systemic stress heat shock proteins (HSP) are increased expressed to minimize cell death and preserve cell integrity by inhibiting apoptotic pathways. The aim of this study was to determine HSP27 and HSP70 concentrations in sera and urine of patients suffering from CKD. Methods: Concentrations of HSP27 and HSP70 in urine and serum were determined in 119 patients with CKD stages 1 to 5 and 23 healthy volunteers by using ELISA technique. Results: HSP27 serum levels were significantly elevated in patients suffering from CKD stages 3 to 5 as well as fractional HSP27 excretion in stages 2-5 versus healthy controls. Absolute HSP70 urinary values were significantly elevated in stages 4 and 5 and fractional HSP70 excretion was increased in stage 5 compared to controls. Moreover, ROC curve analysis showed the potential of urine and especially serum HSP levels to identify various stages of CKD. Conclusion: We provide evidence for elevated HSP27 concentrations in serum and urine and increased HSP70 excretion levels in patients suffering from CKD. Moreover, our results show that HSP levels might offer potential to examine the stages of CKD as well as the disease course which could further promote individually adjusted treatment planning. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.