Creatinine, urea, glucose, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides were measured by automated methods. The eGFR was calculated using the four-variable MDRD formula (28 (link)). Three months after the transplant, plasma levels of some cytokines such as interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-10 and IL-17 were measured by immunoassays Milliplex™ MAP for Luminex® xMAP™ technology (Merck Millipore, Massachusetts, USA).
Tacrolimus blood concentration was measured by an immunoassay using the Abbott Architect analyzer (Abbott Diagnostics, Illinois, USA). The tacrolimus C/D [ng/(mL·mg)] was calculated for each patient.
The biopsy-confirmed acute rejection (BCAR) was performed by the local pathologist according to the Banff 2003 classification (29 (link)). The delayed graft function (DGF) was considered to be the dialysis performed in 7 days after transplantation.