Urinary transforming growth factor-beta1 in feline chronic renal failure.

Transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1), an inflammatory cytokine, plays a role in tissue fibrosis, such as glomerular sclerosis and tubulointerstitial fibrosis of the kidneys. In the present study, the urinary TGF-beta 1 level of cats diagnosed with chronic renal failure (CRF) was measured to investigate its relationship to the pathogenesis of feline CRF. Urinary TGF-beta 1 levels (TGF-beta 1/creatinine ratio) were significantly increased compared with healthy controls, whereas serum levels of TGF-beta 1 were not. These results indicate that TGF-beta 1 is expressed in the kidneys of CRF cats, and that it was rellected in the urinary TGF-beta 1 level. Therefore, TGF-beta 1 may play a role in feline CRF, and urinary TGF-beta 1 could be used as a clinical, marker for renal fibrosis.