Results of liver transplantation in the Department of General, Transplant and Liver Surgery at the Medical University of Warsaw in patients with chronic hepatitis B and C viruses infection.

Introduction: Cirrhosis related to hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is the most frequent indication for liver transplantation worldwide. Progress in prophylaxis of posttransplant HBV recurrence has led to major improvements in long-term outcomes of patients after liver transplantation. Conversely, impaired posttransplant survival of patients with HCV infection was reported in several studies, mainly due to recurrence of viral infection.

Tacrolimus-based, steroid-free regimens in renal transplantation: 3-year follow-up of the ATLAS trial.

Background: Long-term use of corticosteroids is associated with considerable morbidity, including cardiovascular and metabolic adverse effects.

Methods: This study evaluated the long-term efficacy and safety of two steroid-free regimens compared with a triple immunosuppressive therapy in renal transplant recipients. This was a 3-year follow-up to a 6-month, open-label, randomized, multicenter study.

1000 liver transplantations at the Department of General, Transplant and Liver Surgery, Medical University of Warsaw--analysis of indications and results.

The Aim Of The Study: was to analyze indications and results of the first one thousand liver transplantations at Chair and Clinic of General, Transplantation and Liver Surgery, Medical University of Warsaw.

Material And Methods: Data from 1000 transplantations (944 patients) performed at Chair and Clinic of General, Transplantation and Liver Surgery between 1994 and 2011 were analyzed retrospectively. These included 943 first transplantations and 55 retransplantations and 2 re-retransplantations.

[Application of intravenous immunoglobulin preparations (IVIGs) in organ transplantation].

In clinical setting intravenous immunoglobulin preparations (IVIGs) are used for over thirty years. They were used initially as a substitutive treatment. Discovering of IVIG immunosuppressive properties has led to its use in the treatment of autoimmune diseases.

Tacrolimus combined with two different corticosteroid-free regimens compared with a standard triple regimen in renal transplantation: one year observational results.

Side effects of steroid use have led to efforts to minimize their use in transplantation. Two corticosteroid-free regimens were compared with a triple immunosuppressive therapy. Data from the original intent-to-treat (ITT) population (153 tacrolimus/basiliximab [Tac/Bas], 151 tacrolimus/MMF [Tac/MMF], and 147 tacrolimus/MMF/steroids [control]) were analyzed in a 12-month follow-up.

The comparison of treatment results of type 1 diabetes mellitus complicated by end-stage diabetic nephropathy in patients undergoing simultaneous pancreas and pre-emptive kidney transplantation (SPPkTx) and patients enrolled into the dialysis program--a cohort study.

Objective: A cohort study was conducted to compare treatment of patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus and end-stage diabetic nephropathy.

Patients And Methods: 47 type 1 diabetic patients required renal replacement therapy in years: 2001-2005 were enrolled. Simultaneous pancreas and preemptive kidney transplant (sppktx) was performed in 18 (group I).

Two corticosteroid-free regimens-tacrolimus monotherapy after basiliximab administration and tacrolimus/mycophenolate mofetil-in comparison with a standard triple regimen in renal transplantation: results of the Atlas study.

Background: The side effects associated with corticosteroids have led to efforts to minimize their use in renal transplant patients. In this study we compared two corticosteroid-free tacrolimus-based regimens with a standard triple therapy.

Methods: This was a 6-month, phase III, open-label, parallel-group, multicenter study.

[New immune suppressants: topical immunomodulatory agents].

Chronic antiinflammatory treatment is required in autoimmunologic dermatoses. Tacrolimus ointment (Protopic) an inhibitor of calcineurin, is the first topical nonsteroidal immunosuppressant for the last 50 years. Pimecrolimus (ASM 981), a newer calcineurin inhibitor developed for atopic dermatitis treatment has the same mode of action and altered skin penetration profile as takrolimus.

[Effect of immunosuppressive treatment on diurnal profile of blood pressure].

Prevalence of arterial hypertension suddenly rose in patients after renal transplantation since cyclosporine A was introduced. Arterial hypertension is now diagnosed in 67-90% of patients after renal transplantation. It has not only negative effect on cardiovascular system but also shortens survival of renal graft.

[Expression of mRNA for growth factors and cytokines in the renal artery wall of chronically rejected renal allograft].

The vascular hallmark of chronic rejection (CR), as well as of atherosclerosis, is initial hyperplasia. It results from migration and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cell and increased deposition of extracellular matrix proteins. A possible mechanism responsible for formation of neointima is the release of growth factors and cytokines, such as: transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta), tumour necrosis factor alfa (TNF-alpha), interleukin 1 (IL-1) and interleukin 6 (IL-6).

[Cytokines in noninvasive diagnostics of diabetic nephropathy progression].

Diabetic nephropathy is major long-term complication of diabetes mellitus a social and civilization-related disease. At present, the most sensitive and non-invasive indicator of the progression of diabetic nephropathy is microalbuminuria. Morphological features such as accumulation of extracellular matrix proteins, thickening of glomerules' basement membranes are prior to microalbuminuria.

[Noninvasive monitoring of chronic glomerulonephritides progression].

Progression to end-stage renal failure is the final common pathway of many forms of glomerular diseases, independent of the type of initial insult. Tubulointerstitial fibrosis is tis near invariable finding and significant prognostic feature. We have reviewed immunological (cytokines, inflammatory cells) and nonimmunological factors (extracellular matrix proteins and proteolytic enzymes), being involved in mechanisms leading from glomerular disease to tubulointerstitial scarring, from the point of view of potential clinical usefulness of measuring its urine activities and levels to noninvasive diagnostic of kidney diseases.

[Treatment of diabetes mellitus in patients after renal transplantation].

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is the most common metabolic disease, an independent risk factor of coronary disease, and shortens lifetime in all populations of patients, including kidney transplant recipients. Patients after kidney transplantation are exceptionally predisposed to develop or to exacerbate the preexisting DM. Age, DM in family, CMV infections, genetic factor (HLA A26 and B27), immunosuppressive treatment with steroids or calcineurin inhibitors belong to the major risk factors of diabetes.

[Urine TGF-beta1 concentration in patients with type II diabetes mellitus--prognostic values].

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a social and civilization-related disease that leads to various micro- and macroangiopathic complications, including diabetic nephropathy. At present, the most sensitive and non-invasive indicator of the progression of diabetic nephropathy is microalbuminuria. Morphological features such as accumulation of extracellular matrix proteins, thickening of glomerules' basement membranes are prior to microalbuminuria.