Association between endothelial and platelet function markers and adiponectin in renal transplanted recipients on cyclosporine and tacrolimus immunosuppression based therapy.

Aim: Coagulation abnormalities, endothelial dysfunction and arteriosclerosis play a key role in cardiovascular disease state observed in transplanted patients. Plasma adiponectin levels are lower following kidney transplantation. However, there is still a debate about this topic in the literature. This study evaluated, adiponectin levels associated with markers of endothelial dysfunction and platelet function in renal transplant patients.

Methods: Sixty-six renal transplant patients were studied. Patients were grouped according to immunosuppression regimen. Group 1 (n = 36) were treated with cyclosporine A based regimes and group 2 (n = 30) were treated with tacrolimus based regimes. Plasma adiponectin, asymmetric dimethyl arginine (ADMA), sP-selectin levels and platelet aggregation tests were studied and were compared with those in control group (n = 15, group 3).

Results: Adiponectin, sP-selectin and ADMA levels were higher in group 1 and statistically significant differences were observed compared with those of group 2 and group 3, respectively (P < 0.001, P < 0.05, P < 0.05). Platelet aggregation values induced by agonists were lower in group 1 than group 2 and group 3, but the difference did not reach statistical significance (P > 0.05).

Conclusion: Adiponectin levels are elevated in line with ADMA and sP-selectin levels. Since CsA induces higher adiponectin levels, platelet activation and endothelial dysfunction. These changes may be responsible for the increased risk of post-transplant cardiovascular events in renal transplant patients.