A non-randomized trial of conversion from ciclosporin and tacrolimus to tacrolimus MR4 in stable long-term kidney transplant recipients: Graft function and influences of ABCB1 genotypes.

PEP Study: Ethics committee N° 393/2004, EudraCT 2004-004209-98. PEP-X Study: Ethics committee amendment application N° 154/01/2008. ClinicalTrials.

The Effect of ABCB1 Polymorphisms on Serial Tacrolimus Concentrations in Stable Austrian Long-Term Kidney Transplant Recipients.

Background: The multidrug resistance 1 gene (ABCB1) encodes P-glycoprotein (PGP), mainly expressed in the liver and engaged in metabolism of drugs including the immunosuppressant tacrolimus (TAC). ABCB1 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) may significantly alter pharmacokinetics and influence TAC concentrations of kidney transplant recipients (KTR).

Methods: The genotype distribution of ABCB1 1236C>T, 2677G>T/A and 3435C>T was investigated among 96 Austrian KTR who were converted from cyclosporin to TAC.

Late Conversion of Kidney Transplant Recipients from Ciclosporin to Tacrolimus Improves Graft Function: Results from a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Tacrolimus (TAC) to ciclosporin A (CSA) conversion studies in stable kidney transplant recipients have reported varying effects on graft function. Here we study graft function (eGFR) trajectories using linear mixed models, which provide effect estimates on both slope and baseline level of GFR and offer increased statistical power.

Methods: Secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial of CSA treated kidney transplant recipients with stable graft function assigned to receive 0.

Pulsed oral sirolimus in advanced autosomal-dominant polycystic kidney disease (Vienna RAP Study): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Autosomal-dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is a hereditary illness that causes renal tubular epithelial cells to form cysts that proliferate and destroy renal tissue. This usually leads to a decline in renal function, and often to terminal kidney failure, with need for renal replacement therapy. There is currently no causative therapy.

Effect of conversion from ciclosporin to tacrolimus on endothelial progenitor cells in stable long-term kidney transplant recipients.

Background: Endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) counts are proposed surrogate markers for vascular function and cardiovascular risk. The effect of tacrolimus (TAC) on EPC is unknown.

Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, we assigned 148 stable long-term kidney transplant recipients (KTR) to maintaining ciclosporin (CSA) or to commencing TAC-based immunosuppression at a 2:1 ratio.

Randomized, single blind, controlled trial to evaluate the prime-boost strategy for pneumococcal vaccination in renal transplant recipients.

Unlabelled: Renal transplant recipients are at increased risk of developing invasive pneumococcal diseases but may have poor response to the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV). It may be possible to enhance immunogenicity by priming with 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (7vPnC) and boosting with PPV 1 year later. In a randomized single-blind, controlled study, adult recipients of renal transplants received either 7nPVC or PPV followed by PPV 1 year later.

Bone microarchitecture in hemodialysis patients assessed by HR-pQCT.

Background And Objectives: Dialysis patients are at high risk for low-trauma bone fracture. Bone density measurements using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) do not reliably differentiate between patients with and without fractures. The aim of this study was to identify differences in bone microarchitecture between patients with and without a history of fracture using high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT).

Allopurinol, uric acid, and oxidative stress in cardiorenal disease.

In humans, the hepatic end product of purine metabolism is uric acid. Serum uric acid levels physiologically and gradually rise during human lifetime. Hyperuricemia also arises from excess dietary purine or ethanol intake, decreased renal excretion of uric acid, tumor lysis in lymphoma, leukemia or solid tumors, and sometimes pharmacotherapy.

Maintenance immunosuppressive therapy and generic cyclosporine A use in adult renal transplantation: a single center analysis.

At present, solid organ transplantation relies on chronic immunosuppression. Calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) still remain one of the most important components in current immunosuppressive regimens. However, life-long immunosuppression of transplant recipients is associated with high costs for the individual, health-care systems, and society.

How to prevent progression to end stage renal disease.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end stage renal disease (ESRD) are severe medical conditions, increasing threats to human health and socio-economic burdens in industrialized countries. CKD is assessed by an estimation of the glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). ESRD is an indication for renal replacement therapy by either dialysis or kidney-transplantation.

No associations between prolactin concentrations and response to erythropoiesis-stimulating agents in hemodialysis patients.

Background: The effect of serum prolactin levels on the response to erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESA) in patients on chronic hemodialysis is unknown.

Methods: We included 111 stable hemodialysis patients in this study and examined the association of serum prolactin concentrations with the response to ESA. Accordingly we implemented an ESA index as a measure of therapeutic efficacy.