Pharmacokinetics of mycophenolate mofetil in kidney transplant patients with renal insufficiency.

Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is an immunosuppressant that is widely used for prophylaxis of rejection in solid organ transplantation. In this study, we examined the effect of renal insufficiency on the pharmacokinetics of MMF, particularly on the free fraction of drug in renal transplant patients. Our study was performed on 10 patients with severe renal insufficiency (creatinine clearance [CrCl] <30 mL/min), and 10 control patients with preserved renal function (CrCl >90 mL/min).

Plasmapheresis for the prophylaxis and treatment of recurrent focal segmental glomerulosclerosis following renal transplant.

We evaluated 10 patients with primary focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) treated with plasmapheresis (PS) following renal transplantation. Three patients lost their first graft due to FSGS recurrence. In seven patients, PS was indicated as treatment for probable recurrence defined as the onset of proteinuria above 1 g/24 hours.

Alendronate in kidney transplant patients: a single-center experience.

Introduction: Osteoporosis following a renal transplant is an important cause of morbidity. Several studies have demonstrated the efficiency of diphosphonates for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.

Methods: We evaluated the effect of alendronate treatment on bone mineral density (BMD) in patients with osteoporosis (lumbar spine and/or hip t-scores < or = -2.

Minimal model analysis in nondiabetic renal transplant recipients with hepatitis C.

Introduction: Epidemiological data suggest that hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection may contribute to the development of posttransplantation diabetes mellitus (PTDM).

Methods: We investigated the glucose metabolism in 19 renal transplant recipients with antiHCV antibodies and without DM according to World Health Organization criteria before or after transplantation. We measured insulin sensitivity (SI), glucose effectiveness (SG), and pancreatic insulin response using the frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test (FSIGTT).

Treatment of hepatitis C virus with interferon in hemodialysis patients awaiting kidney transplant.

Introduction: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with worsening disease progression after renal transplant, and to date there is no available treatment for use at this stage. It has therefore been recommended to treat HCV infection with interferon (IFN) during the dialysis period while the patient is on the waiting list for transplantation.

Methods: We analyzed data from 27 patients on hemodialysis awaiting transplant, who were under IFN treatment for chronic HCV infection (dominant genotype, 1b).