AIM Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is an important cause of hospital-acquired acute kidney injury. An accurate understanding of the pathogenesis of CIN is crucial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical role of circulating tumour necrosis factor receptors (cTNFRs) in CIN.

METHODS From May 2013 to February 2014, 262 patients who underwent coronary angiography and/or percutaneous coronary intervention at Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center were enrolled. CIN was defined as either an increase in serum creatinine ≥ 22.1 μmol/L or ≥ 25% within 48 h after the procedure.

RESULTS Diabetes and chronic kidney disease accounted for 27.5% and 17.6% of the patients, respectively, and the mean age was 65 years. All patients received fluid therapy, and 36.3% underwent percutaneous coronary intervention. A total of 4.2% of the patients developed CIN; younger age, underlying diseases (e.g., stroke and chronic kidney disease), the use of N-acetylcysteine, and elevated concentrations of ln(cTNFRs) were associated with development of CIN. Increased values of ln(cTNFR1) (OR 6.32, 95% CI 2.46-16.28, P < 0.001) and ln(cTNFR2) (OR 3.24, 95% CI 1.26-8.31, P = 0.015) were significantly associated with CIN after adjusting for other risk factors, including baseline renal function. Moreover, an increase of cTNFRs levels was independently correlated with the deterioration of renal function.

CONCLUSION Markedly elevated concentrations of circulating TNFRs were correlated with the occurrence of CIN and significantly associated with prolonged renal dysfunction regardless of the development of CIN.