The aim of this study was to estimate the changes in cytokine concentrations and antio xidant defence status in cadaveric kidney donors and recipients in the perioperative period and to assess their possible influence on graft function 90 days after transplantation. Twenty-three kidney graft recipients and correspondent donors were enrolled in this study. Ten recipients had 90 days after transplantation a creatinine clearance (CC) lower than 1.0 ml/s („poor recipients“ and corresponding „poor donors“). Thirteen kidney recipients had 90 days after transplantation CC higher than 1.0 ml/s („better recipients“ and corresponding „better donors“). The samples of blood and urine were collected from donors 2 hours after cerebral death diagnosis and fro m recipients 24 hours after transplantation. TNF- a, IL-6, IL-8 and sIL-2R were estimated in blood and urine samples, C-reactive protein, malondialdehyde and selenium concentration in blood, and activity of glutathione-peroxidase were estimated in erythrocytes. There were no significant differences in any of the above mentioned p arameters between „poor recipients“ and „better recipients“ as well as between „poor donors“ and „better donors“. These results are consistent with the results of Chertow et al. (3). They state that chronic graft dysfunctio n is – among others – the result of important (non-immunological) antigen-independent factors, for instance age, gender and race of donor and body surface area of recipient and time of cold ischaemia.

        Key words: kidney transplantation, cytokines, graft function.