Relationship between plasma mid-regional pro-adrenomedullin level and resistance to antihypertensive therapy in stable kidney transplant recipients

• Kidney transplant recipients at least 90 days after transplantation were studied.
• MR-proADM level correlates significantly with creatinine clearance.
• MR-proADM level correlates significantly with treatment intensity score of antihypertensives.
• MR-proADM level is an independent factor associated with treatment intensity score.
• MR-proADM level may be useful for evaluating resistance to antihypertensive therapy.

We investigated the relationship between plasma mid-regional pro-adrenomedullin (MR-proADM)-like immunoreactive substance (IS) level and clinical characteristics associated with renal failure or resistance to antihypertensive therapy in stable kidney transplant recipients. Forty-six Japanese kidney transplant recipients who underwent transplantation more than 90 days prior to the study were included. To evaluate resistance to antihypertensive therapy, we calculated the treatment intensity score of the antihypertensive drugs in each recipient. Morning blood samples were collected and plasma MR-proADM-IS levels were measured using an enzyme immunoassay. A significant correlation was observed between plasma MR-proADM-IS level with creatinine clearance or treatment intensity score. Multiple regression analysis identified plasma MR-proADM level and body mass index as significant independent factors associated with treatment intensity score. Plasma MR-proADM level may be a useful biomarker indicating the degree of resistance to antihypertensive therapy.