background: delayed graft function is a main complication after deceased donor kidney transplantation that adversely affects graft outcome. difficulties in prediction and early detection of delayed graft function have hindered the ability to perform proper therapeutic interventions. we investigated whether measuring urinary interleukin 18 and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin as marker...

Interleukin-18 (IL-18) is a member of the IL-1 family of cytokines. Similar to IL-1β, IL-18 is synthesized as an inactive precursor requiring processing by caspase-1 into an active cytokine but unlike IL-1β, the IL-18 precursor is constitutively present in nearly all cells in healthy humans and animals. The activity of IL-18 is balanced by the presence of a high affinity, naturally occurring IL...