The concentration of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) in serum was performed by immunoenzymatic method in serum of children with nephrotic syndrome in following groups: group I--9 children (5-15 years) with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSG), before Cyclosporine A treatment (CyA) (examination A) and after 3-6 months of Cyclosporine A treatment during remission (examination B), group II--13 children (5-14 years) with minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS) during relapse (examination A) and after 7-20 days of prednisone (Encorton) treatment in dose 60 mg/m2, without the proteinuria (examination B), group III--15 healthy children (5-15 years). The aim of the work was to demonstrate any differences in concentration of TGF-beta 1 in serum of examined children and to show the influence of prednisone and Cyclosporine A on the concentration of TGF-beta 1. The results showed that before treatment increased concentration of TGF-beta 1 was shown only in children with MCSN (p < 0.05) and it was reverse proportional to albuminemia. However in children without proteinuria (B), the concentration of cytokines decreased in children with MCSN and increased in children with FSG treated with Cyclosporine A.
Conclusion: The concentration of TGF-beta 1 in serum increases in children with nephrotic syndrome during gross proteinuria and hypoalbuminemia and after Cyclosporine A treatment.