ClinicalTrials.gg
RecruitingNCT07678073Updated Jul 8, 2026

Comparison of the Effects of General Anesthesia and Combined Spinal-Epidural Anesthesia on Ferroptosis, Humanin and MOTS-c Levels in Renal Transplantation

An interventional study of Sevoflurane General Anesthesia and Bupivacaine and Morphine for Combined Spinal-Epidural Anesthesia in Kidney Disease, End-Stage, Kidney Transplant and Kidney, sponsored by University of Gaziantep. Recruiting at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Open to participants aged 18 Years to 70 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-07-08.

Sponsored by University of Gaziantep · Not applicable, Interventional, and Basic science

From the registry’s dates

  • Registered 3 months after the study started (first participant enrolled Mar 2026, registered Jun 2026).
  • Started Mar 2026; still recruiting 8 months later.
Phase
Not applicable
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
68
Allocation
Non-randomized
Ages
18 Years to 70 Years
Sex
All
01

Where this study stands

Counted across the records on this site · 2026-11-12

Among 44 studies in Kidney Failure, Chronic with a site in Turkey — 9 open to participants now, 15 under way, 3 of them phase 3. Kidney Failure, Chronic · Turkey.

Planned enrollment
19th of 29
68 · median 98
Started
2026
with 3 others
No phase
16 of 44
4 open now
Primary completion
2026-10
later than 6 of 14 live
Registered
40th of 44
by date

Among the 44 studies in Kidney Failure, Chronic with a site in Turkey, this one is the 19th largest by planned enrollment of the 29 interventional ones, is one of 4 that started in 2026, is one of 16 with no phase, reaches primary completion later than 6 of the 14 other live ones, and was the 40th registered.

By phase

44 studies; the count open now beside each. This study's row is marked.

No phasethis study16 · 4 open
Observational15 · 4 open
Phase 36 · 0 open
Phase 45 · 0 open
Phase 21 · 0 open
Phase 2/31 · 1 open

By the year they started

First in 1998; this study’s year is marked. 4 started in 2026.

Size and results

Median enrollment 98 across the 29 interventional studies, 135 across the 15 observational. Of the 28 that completed or were terminated, 4 (14%) have results posted.

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Watch this landscapeDownload CSVWith an account: a weekly mail of what changed among 44 studies in Kidney Failure, Chronic with a site in Turkey, or all of them as a file.
02

Study summary

Renal transplantation is the most effective renal replacement therapy for patients with end-stage renal disease. Ischemia-reperfusion injury may adversely affect graft function and long-term outcomes. Ferroptosis has recently emerged as a potential mechanism involved in ischemia-reperfusion injury, while the mitochondrial-derived peptides humanin and MOTS-c are thought to exert protective effects against oxidative stress. However, the effects of different anesthetic techniques on these biomarkers in kidney transplant recipients have not been investigated.

This prospective controlled study aims to compare the effects of sevoflurane general anesthesia (SGA) and combined spinal-epidural anesthesia (CSEA) on serum ferroptosis markers, humanin, and MOTS-c levels in adult kidney transplant recipients. Blood samples will be obtained perioperatively for biomarker analysis.

The primary objective of the study is to evaluate the effects of the anesthetic technique on serum ferroptosis markers, humanin, and MOTS-c levels. Secondary objectives include evaluating early graft function and postoperative outcomes by assessing the incidence of delayed graft function, postoperative serum creatinine levels, requirement for dialysis, urine output, length of hospital stay, and the association of these outcomes with perioperative biomarker levels.

Read the detailed description

Renal transplantation represents the most effective form of renal replacement therapy for patients with end-stage renal disease; however, ischemia-reperfusion injury remains a major determinant of early graft dysfunction and long-term transplant outcomes.

Ferroptosis, an iron-dependent form of regulated cell death characterized by lipid peroxidation, has recently been proposed as an important mechanism contributing to ischemia-reperfusion-related tissue injury. In addition, mitochondrial-derived peptides such as humanin and MOTS-c have been identified as key regulators of cellular stress responses and may exert protective effects against oxidative damage. Despite these emerging findings, the influence of anesthetic technique on ferroptosis-related pathways and mitochondrial protective peptides in kidney transplantation has not yet been fully elucidated.

This prospective controlled study is designed to evaluate the effect of anesthetic technique on perioperative biochemical and clinical outcomes in renal transplant recipients. Adult patients undergoing kidney transplantation will receive either sevoflurane-based general anesthesia (SGA) or combined spinal-epidural anesthesia (CSEA). The two anesthetic strategies will be compared in terms of their effects on circulating ferroptosis-related biomarkers, as well as serum levels of humanin and MOTS-c.

Peripheral arterial blood samples will be obtained at two standardized points: immediately before anesthesia induction (T1) and immediately prior to extubation (T2). Following collection, blood samples will be centrifuged, and serum aliquots will be stored under appropriate conditions at -80°C until batch analysis. Serum levels of ferroptosis-related biomarkers, humanin, and MOTS-c will be measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and standard biochemical techniques.

The primary objective of the study is to assess the effect of anesthetic technique on perioperative changes in serum ferroptosis-related biomarkers and mitochondrial-derived peptides (humanin and MOTS-c).

The secondary objectives are to evaluate early postoperative graft function and clinical recovery parameters, including incidence of delayed graft function, postoperative serum creatinine levels, requirement for dialysis, urine output, and length of hospital stay. In addition, the association between perioperative biomarker levels and clinical outcomes will be analyzed to explore potential predictive relationships.

It is anticipated that this study will provide further insight into the relationship between anesthetic technique, ferroptosis pathways, and mitochondrial-mediated cytoprotection in renal transplantation. The results may contribute to improved understanding of perioperative biological responses and support optimization of anesthetic strategies aimed at enhancing graft outcomes.

03

Conditions studied

  • Kidney Disease, End-Stage
  • Kidney Transplant
  • Kidney
  • Kidney Disease
  • Renal Transplant

Keywords

  • GENERAL ANESTHESIA
  • REGIONAL ANESTHESIA
  • KIDNEY TRANSPLANTATION
  • CELLULAR STRESS RESPONSE
  • CELLULAR STRESS
  • ANESTHESIA
  • HUMANIN
  • MOTS-c
  • FERROPTOSIS
04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years to 70 Years
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.

Inclusion criteria

  • Patients aged 18-70 years with (ASA) physical status I-III.
  • Patients scheduled for elective living-donor allogeneic kidney transplantation.
  • Patients receiving sevoflurane-based general anesthesia as the anesthetic technique.
  • Patients receiving combined spinal-epidural anesthesia as the anesthetic technique.

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Patients younger than 18 years or older than 70 years.
  • Patients undergoing deceased-donor kidney transplantation.
  • Patients receiving total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA).
  • Patients who decline to participate in the study or are unable to provide .
  • Patients with (ASA) physical status IV or V.
  • Patients with a history of previous organ transplantation.
  • Patients with known or suspected mitochondrial disorders.
  • Patients with a history of chronic use.
  • Patients requiring red blood cell transfusion intraoperatively or within the first 24 postoperative hours.
  • Patients with a primary warm ischemia time >5 minutes, secondary warm ischemia time >30 minutes, or cold ischemia time >60 minutes.
Terms in these criteria, in plain language(3)

Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.

ASA physical status

The anaesthetists’ scale of health before surgery: I is healthy, II has a mild illness that is under control, III a severe one, IV a severe illness that is a constant threat to life. V and VI are used for the critically ill and for organ donors.

Informed consent

Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.

You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.

Corticosteroids (steroids)

Anti-inflammatory medicines such as prednisone, prednisolone and dexamethasone — not the anabolic steroids used for muscle.

Studies differ in what they allow: check which steroid medicines, routes (tablets, injections, creams, inhalers, eye drops) and doses this study accepts.

05

Study design

Phase
Not applicable
Primary purpose
Basic science
Allocation
Non-randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Single (Outcomes assessor)
Enrollment
68 participants (estimated)

Study arms

  • Active comparator
    Sevoflurane General Anesthesia (SGA)

    Participants in this group will receive sevoflurane general anesthesia according to standard institutional protocols for kidney transplantation.

    Drug: Sevoflurane General Anesthesia

  • Active comparator
    Combined Spinal-Epidural Anesthesia (CSEA)

    Participants in this group will receive combined spinal-epidural anesthesia as the anesthetic technique for kidney transplantation.

    Drug: Bupivacaine and Morphine for Combined Spinal-Epidural Anesthesia

Interventions

  • DrugSevoflurane General Anesthesia

    Participants will receive standardized sevoflurane general anesthesia according to institutional kidney transplantation protocols. Anesthesia induction will include preoxygenation with 100% oxygen for 3-5 minutes, followed by intravenous propofol (1.5-2.5 mg/kg), fentanyl (1-2 µg/kg), and rocuronium bromide (0.6 mg/kg). Endotracheal intubation will be performed after short mask ventilation using direct laryngoscopy, and correct placement will be confirmed by auscultation. Anesthesia maintenance will be provided with sevoflurane (1.5-2.0% end-tidal) in a 40-50% oxygen/air mixture and remifentanil infusion (0.05-0.2 µg/kg/min). Mechanical ventilation will be set to 6-8 mL/kg tidal volume, PEEP 5 cmH₂O, and end-tidal CO₂ 35-40 mmHg. At the end of surgery, sevoflurane will be discontinued, neuromuscular blockade will be reversed with sugammadex (2-4 mg/kg), and extubation will be performed after recovery. Postoperative analgesia will include subcutaneous morphine (0.1 mg/kg).

    Also known as: Sevoflurane anesthesia

  • DrugBupivacaine and Morphine for Combined Spinal-Epidural Anesthesia

    Participants will receive combined spinal-epidural anesthesia under sterile conditions according to institutional protocols. The L3-L4 interspace will be identified, and local anesthesia will be administered with lidocaine (2-3 mL, 2%). A Tuohy needle will be inserted using a midline approach, and the epidural space will be identified using loss-of-resistance technique. Spinal anesthesia will be achieved via intrathecal injection of 2.5 mL of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine after confirmation of cerebrospinal fluid flow. An epidural catheter will then be placed and secured. Sedation will be provided with intravenous midazolam (1-2 mg), and oxygen will be administered via nasal cannula (4 L/min). Intraoperative analgesia will be maintained with epidural 0.25% bupivacaine as needed. At the end of surgery, epidural morphine (3 mg) combined with 0.25% bupivacaine will be administered for postoperative analgesia.

    Also known as: CSE anesthesia

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Serum ferroptosis-related biomarkers (Fe, TFRC1, GPX4, MDA, ACSL4) and mitochondrial-derived peptides (humanin and MOTS-c)

    The primary outcome is the perioperative change in serum levels of ferroptosis-related biomarkers and mitochondrial-derived peptides, including humanin and MOTS-c, between two standardized time points. Blood samples will be collected immediately prior to anesthesia induction and immediately prior to extubation. Biomarker levels will be quantified using ELISA-based and standard biochemical methods. The primary comparison will evaluate differences in biomarker changes between the sevoflurane general anesthesia (SGA) and combined spinal-epidural anesthesia (CSEA) groups.

    Time frame: Immediately before anesthesia induction and immediately before extubation (intraoperative period)

Secondary outcomes

  1. Delayed Graft Function (DGF)

    Delayed graft function will be defined as the requirement for dialysis within the first 7 postoperative days or a reduction in serum creatinine of less than 30% during the first 48 hours after transplantation. The incidence of delayed graft function will be compared between the study groups.

    Time frame: Postoperative days 0-7

  2. Postoperative Serum Creatinine Levels

    Serial serum creatinine levels will be measured daily during the first postoperative week to evaluate early renal graft function and recovery.

    Time frame: Postoperative days 1-7

  3. Requirement for Postoperative Dialysis

    The need for dialysis during the early post-transplant period will be recorded as a clinical indicator of graft dysfunction.

    Time frame: Within first 7 postoperative days

  4. Urine Output

    Hourly urine output will be monitored to assess immediate graft perfusion and early functional recovery.

    Time frame: Intraoperative period and first 24 postoperative hours

  5. Length of Hospital Stay

    Total duration of postoperative hospitalization will be recorded as a measure of overall recovery and clinical course.

    Time frame: From surgery until discharge (up to 30 days)

  6. Association Between Biomarkers and Clinical Outcomes

    Correlation analyses will be performed to evaluate the relationship between perioperative biomarker levels (ferroptosis markers, humanin, and MOTS-c) and early clinical outcomes, including delayed graft function, serum creatinine levels, and urine output.

    Time frame: Perioperative period and first 7 postoperative days

07

Study locations

1 of 1 sites recruiting
  • Gaziantep University Faculty of Medicine Hospital
    Gaziantep, State/Province 27310, Turkey (Türkiye)
    Recruiting
    • Abdulkadir Uçar, MD · Contactdrkadirucar@gmail.com · +90 534 030 89 56
    • Berna KAYA UĞUR, Doç. Dr. · Contactdrkadirucar@gmail.com · +90 532 572 76 51
    • Berna KAYA UĞUR, Doç. Dr. · Principal investigator
    • Abdulkadir Uçar, MD · Sub investigator
08

References and documents

Publications

  • Ivascu R, Torsin LI, Hostiuc L, Nitipir C, Corneci D, Dutu M. The Surgical Stress Response and Anesthesia: A Narrative Review. J Clin Med. 2024 May 20;13(10):3017. doi: 10.3390/jcm13103017. PubMed 38792558 ↗
  • Siedlecki A, Irish W, Brennan DC. Delayed graft function in the kidney transplant. Am J Transplant. 2011 Nov;11(11):2279-96. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-6143.2011.03754.x. Epub 2011 Sep 19. PubMed 21929642 ↗
  • Perico N, Cattaneo D, Sayegh MH, Remuzzi G. Delayed graft function in kidney transplantation. Lancet. 2004 Nov 13-19;364(9447):1814-27. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(04)17406-0. PubMed 15541456 ↗
  • Zheng Y, Wei Z, Wang T. MOTS-c: A promising mitochondrial-derived peptide for therapeutic exploitation. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2023 Jan 25;14:1120533. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1120533. eCollection 2023. PubMed 36761202 ↗
  • Yong CQY, Tang BL. A Mitochondrial Encoded Messenger at the Nucleus. Cells. 2018 Aug 13;7(8):105. doi: 10.3390/cells7080105. PubMed 30104535 ↗
  • Wan W, Zhang L, Lin Y, Rao X, Wang X, Hua F, Ying J. Mitochondria-derived peptide MOTS-c: effects and mechanisms related to stress, metabolism and aging. J Transl Med. 2023 Jan 20;21(1):36. doi: 10.1186/s12967-023-03885-2. PubMed 36670507 ↗
  • Coradduzza D, Congiargiu A, Chen Z, Cruciani S, Zinellu A, Carru C, Medici S. Humanin and Its Pathophysiological Roles in Aging: A Systematic Review. Biology (Basel). 2023 Apr 6;12(4):558. doi: 10.3390/biology12040558. PubMed 37106758 ↗
  • Gong Z, Tas E, Muzumdar R. Humanin and age-related diseases: a new link? Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2014 Dec 4;5:210. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2014.00210. eCollection 2014. PubMed 25538685 ↗
  • Gong Z, Goetzman E, Muzumdar RH. Cardio-protective role of Humanin in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj. 2022 Feb;1866(2):130066. doi: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2021.130066. Epub 2021 Dec 9. PubMed 34896254 ↗
  • Hazafa A, Batool A, Ahmad S, Amjad M, Chaudhry SN, Asad J, Ghuman HF, Khan HM, Naeem M, Ghani U. Humanin: A mitochondrial-derived peptide in the treatment of apoptosis-related diseases. Life Sci. 2021 Jan 1;264:118679. doi: 10.1016/j.lfs.2020.118679. Epub 2020 Oct 29. PubMed 33130077 ↗
  • Wang W, Chen J, Zhan L, Zou H, Wang L, Guo M, Gao H, Xu J, Wu W. Iron and ferroptosis in kidney disease: molecular and metabolic mechanisms. Front Immunol. 2025 Feb 5;16:1531577. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2025.1531577. eCollection 2025. PubMed 39975561 ↗
  • Feng Q, Yu X, Qiao Y, Pan S, Wang R, Zheng B, Wang H, Ren KD, Liu H, Yang Y. Ferroptosis and Acute Kidney Injury (AKI): Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Potentials. Front Pharmacol. 2022 Apr 19;13:858676. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2022.858676. eCollection 2022. PubMed 35517803 ↗
  • Liu J, Han X, Zhou J, Leng Y. Molecular Mechanisms of Ferroptosis and Their Involvement in Acute Kidney Injury. J Inflamm Res. 2023 Nov 2;16:4941-4951. doi: 10.2147/JIR.S427505. eCollection 2023. PubMed 37936596 ↗

Individual participant data

Plan to share: No — Individual participant data will not be publicly shared. Data may be available from the corresponding investigator upon reasonable request and after approval by the local ethics committee.

09

Timeline

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
ElapsedEstimatedEstimated, not yet reachedSimilar studies: half by the dot; the band is the middle halfHalf of similar studies reached it by the dot; the band is the middle half, from a quarter to three quarters

Started Mar 2026 (actual). Primary completion is estimated for Oct 2026, 7 months after the start.

Of 347 non-industry interventional studies with no phase under Kidney Failure, Chronic, half reached primary completion within 23 months of starting (the median), counting those still running; a quarter within 8 and three quarters within 47. This study's planned 7 months is below that.

Counting every sponsor, half of 425 studies reached it within 23 months; a quarter within 8 and three quarters within 46.

How these figures are worked out, and which studies are left out of them.

Registered
Jun 24, 2026
First posted
Jul 1, 2026
StartActual
Mar 1, 2026
Primary completionEst.
Oct 1, 2026
CompletionEst.
Oct 15, 2026
Last update
Jul 8, 2026
What these dates mean
Start.
When the first participant enrolled; while estimated, when the study expects to open to recruitment.
Primary completion.
When the last participant was examined or treated to collect data for the study's main question, its primary outcome. A study that stopped early gives the date its data collection stopped.
Completion.
When the last participant's last visit took place, for every outcome, secondary ones and side effects included: the end of the study. Often later than primary completion, sometimes the same day.
Actual and Est.
Actual means the registry says the date has happened. Est. (estimated) is a date the sponsor plans or expects. It can still move, and the sponsor is expected to change it to actual once it has passed.
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Jul 8, 2026, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
10

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT07678073
Collaborators
The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey
Responsible party
Berna Kaya Ugur (Associate Professor, University of Gaziantep) — Principal investigator
First posted
Jul 1, 2026
Start date
Mar 1, 2026
Primary completion
Oct 1, 2026 (estimated)
Completion
Oct 15, 2026 (estimated)
Last update
Jul 8, 2026

Study contacts

Abdulkadir UÇAR, MD
Contact
drkadirucar@gmail.com
+90 534 030 89 56
Berna KAYA UĞUR, Doç. Dr.
Contact
bernakayaugur@hotmail.com
+90 532 572 76 51
Berna KAYA UĞUR, Doç. Dr.
principal investigator · University of Gaziantep

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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