Conversion from Tacrolimus to Cyclosporine A Improves Glucose Tolerance in HCV-Positive Renal Transplant Recipients

Background

Calcineurin-inhibitors and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection increase the risk of post-transplant diabetes mellitus. Chronic HCV infection promotes insulin resistance rather than beta-cell dysfunction. The objective was to elucidate whether a conversion from tacrolimus to cyclosporine A affects fasting and/or dynamic insulin sensitivity, insulin secretion or all in HCV-positive renal transplant recipients.

Methods

In this prospective, single-center study 10 HCV-positive renal transplant recipients underwent 2h-75g-oral glucose tolerance tests before and three months after the conversion of immunosuppression from tacrolimus to cyclosporine A. Established oral glucose tolerance test-based parameters of fasting and dynamic insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion were calculated. Data are expressed as median (IQR).

Results

After conversion, both fasting and challenged glucose levels decreased significantly. This was mainly attributable to a significant amelioration of post-prandial dynamic glucose sensitivity as measured by the oral glucose sensitivity-index OGIS [422.17 (370.82–441.92) vs. 468.80 (414.27–488.57) mL/min/m2, p = 0.005), which also resulted in significant improvements of the disposition index (p = 0.017) and adaptation index (p = 0.017) as markers of overall glucose tolerance and beta-cell function. Fasting insulin sensitivity (p = 0.721), insulinogenic index as marker of first-phase insulin secretion [0.064 (0.032–0.106) vs. 0.083 (0.054–0.144) nmol/mmol, p = 0.093) and hepatic insulin extraction (p = 0.646) remained unaltered. No changes of plasma HCV-RNA levels (p = 0.285) or liver stiffness (hepatic fibrosis and necroinflammation, p = 0.463) were observed after the conversion of immunosuppression.

Conclusions

HCV-positive renal transplant recipients show significantly improved glucose-stimulated insulin sensitivity and overall glucose tolerance after conversion from tacrolimus to cyclosporine A. Considering the HCV-induced insulin resistance, HCV-positive renal transplant recipients may benefit from a cyclosporine A-based immunosuppressive regimen.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov {"type":"clinical-trial","attrs":{"text":"NCT02108301","term_id":"NCT02108301"}}NCT02108301     

Use of 5-Fluorocytosine in Patients with Impaired Renal Function

The plasma level and elimination of 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC) was measured in normal subjects and patients with impaired renal function. Prolongation of the half-life of the drug in renal failure has been confirmed. Renal clearance of 5-FC was about 75% of the creatinine clearance and a corresponding modification of drug dosage should be made in patients with renal insufficiency.     

Effectiveness and Long-Term Safety of Thiazolidinediones and Metformin in Renal Transplant Recipients

ObjectiveTo investigate the long-term safety and effectiveness of thiazolidinediones and metformin in renal transplant recipients with posttransplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM) or preexisting diabetes mellitus (DM).MethodsRetrospective chart review was performed for renal transplant recipients with PTDM or preexisting DM followed up during the years 2000-2006. Data collected included baseline characteristics; glomerular filtration rate (GFR); creatinine; hemoglobin A_1c; and development of congestive heart failure, edema, and liver function abnormalities. GFR was calculated using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease study equation calculator.ResultsThirty-two patients comprised the metformin group (PTDM = 21, preexisting DM = 11), and 46 patients were included in the TZD group (PTDM = 33, preexisting DM = 13). Only 24 patients taking metformin and 31 patients taking TZDs were included for effectiveness analysis since the others required additional medications to control their DM. Mean follow-up was 16.4 months (range, 1-55 months) for patients treated with metformin and 37.1 months (range, 6-72 months) for patients treated with TZDs. GFR was decreased from baseline in all patients, but the only significant change was in patients with preexisting DM. While there was a significant change in creatinine levels in the metformin group, only 5 patients had to discontinue the drug because of this elevation (3 in preexisting DM group, 2 in PTDM group). Change in hemoglobin A_1c from baseline was not significant in either study group. Development of congestive heart failure or liver function abnormalities was not observed.ConclusionsMetformin appears to be safe in the renal transplant population for a mean duration of 16 months, although caution should be exercised using close monitoring in patients with preexisting DM. TZDs appear to be safe for a mean duration of 37 months after renal transplant. (Endocr Pract. 2008;14:979-984)     

Adherence with Dosing Guideline in Patients with Impaired Renal Function at Hospital Discharge

Objectives

To determine the prevalence, determinants, and potential clinical relevance of adherence with the Dutch dosing guideline in patients with impaired renal function at hospital discharge.

Design

Retrospective cohort study between January 2007 and July 2011.

Setting

Academic teaching hospital in the Netherlands.

Subjects

Patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) between 10-50 ml/min/1.73m² at discharge and prescribed one or more medicines of which the dose is renal function dependent.

Main Outcome Measures

The prevalence of adherence with the Dutch renal dosing guideline was investigated, and the influence of possible determinants, such as reporting the eGFR and severity of renal impairment (severe: eGFR<30 and moderate: eGFR 30-50 ml/min/1.73m²). Furthermore, the potential clinical relevance of non-adherence was assessed.

Results

1327 patients were included, mean age 67 years, mean eGFR 38 ml/min/1.73m². Adherence with the guideline was present in 53.9% (n=715) of patients. Reporting the eGFR, which was incorporated since April 2009, resulted in more adherence with the guideline: 50.7% vs. 57.0%, RR 1.12 (95% CI 1.02-1.25). Adherence was less in patients with severe renal impairment (46.0%), compared to patients with moderate renal impairment (58.1%, RR 0.79; 95% CI 0.70-0.89). 71.4% of the cases of non-adherence had the potential to cause moderate to severe harm.

Conclusion

Required dosage adjustments in case of impaired renal function are often not performed at hospital discharge, which may cause harm to the majority of patients. Reporting the eGFR can be a small and simple first step to improve adherence with dosing guidelines.     

Cyclosporine A Impairs Nucleotide Binding Oligomerization Domain (Nod1)-Mediated Innate Antibacterial Renal Defenses in Mice and Human Transplant Recipients

Acute pyelonephritis (APN), which is mainly caused by uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC), is the most common bacterial complication in renal transplant recipients receiving immunosuppressive treatment. However, it remains unclear how immunosuppressive drugs, such as the calcineurin inhibitor cyclosporine A (CsA), decrease renal resistance to UPEC. Here, we investigated the effects of CsA in host defense against UPEC in an experimental model of APN. We show that CsA-treated mice exhibit impaired production of the chemoattractant chemokines CXCL2 and CXCL1, decreased intrarenal recruitment of neutrophils, and greater susceptibility to UPEC than vehicle-treated mice. Strikingly, renal expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (Tlr4) and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain 1 (Nod1), neutrophil migration capacity, and phagocytic killing of E. coli were significantly reduced in CsA-treated mice. CsA inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced, Tlr4-mediated production of CXCL2 by epithelial collecting duct cells. In addition, CsA markedly inhibited Nod1 expression in neutrophils, macrophages, and renal dendritic cells. CsA, acting through inhibition of the nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFATs), also markedly downregulated Nod1 in neutrophils and macrophages. Silencing the NFATc1 isoform mRNA, similar to CsA, downregulated Nod1 expression in macrophages, and administration of the 11R-VIVIT peptide inhibitor of NFATs to mice also reduced neutrophil bacterial phagocytosis and renal resistance to UPEC. Conversely, synthetic Nod1 stimulating agonists given to CsA-treated mice significantly increased renal resistance to UPEC. Renal transplant recipients receiving CsA exhibited similar decrease in NOD1 expression and neutrophil phagocytosis of E. coli. The findings suggest that such mechanism of NFATc1-dependent inhibition of Nod1-mediated innate immune response together with the decrease in Tlr4-mediated production of chemoattractant chemokines caused by CsA may contribute to sensitizing kidney grafts to APN.     

肾移植术后患者同型半胱氨酸、肾功能和血脂水平的变化及其相关性分析

目的:分析肾移植术后患者血清的同型半胱氨酸(Hcy)、肾功能和血脂水平的变化和相关性,探讨其在肾移植术后评价肾功能的应用价值。方法:将2013年10月~2016年9月就诊于我院确诊慢性肾衰并进行肾移植手术的300例术后随访患者作为观察组,选择同期健康志愿者100例作为对照组。检测并比较两组Hcy、总胆固醇(TC)、三酰甘油(TG)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)水平。根据观察组患者Hcy水平的不同将其分成Hcy正常组与Hcy异常组,并对比两组患者的血脂指标水平;测定半胱氨酸蛋白抑制剂C(CysC)的水平并计算肾小球滤过率(eGFR);对观察组血清Hcy与eGFR值、血脂指标水平进行相关性分析,并采用Logistic回归分析分析观察组肾移植术后eGFR下降的影响因素。结果:观察组患者的血清Hcy、TC、TG、HDL-C、LDL-C水平均明显高于对照组(P0.05)。Hcy异常组血清LDL-C水平明显高于Hcy正常组,而HDL-C水平明显低于Hcy正常组(P0.05)。观察组患者血清Hcy与eGFR、HDL-C水平呈负相关关系(r=-0.573、-0.414,P0.05);与TG水平呈正相关(r=0.432,P0.05),与TC、LDL-C无相关(P0.05)。多元Logistic回归分析显示,Hcy、TG、LDL-C水平均与患者eGFR下降有关(P0.05)。结论:在肾移植术后,慢性肾衰患者的TG、LDL-C、Hcy水平均升高,且伴有eGFR水平的降低;肾移植术后肾功能的改变与血清TG、LDL-C、Hcy水平相关;检测肾移植患者血脂指标、Hcy的水平可以评估移植肾功能受损情况。     

Impaired Coronary and Renal Vascular Function in Spontaneously Type 2 Diabetic Leptin-Deficient Mice

Background

Type 2 diabetes is associated with macro- and microvascular complications in man. Microvascular dysfunction affects both cardiac and renal function and is now recognized as a main driver of cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. However, progression of microvascular dysfunction in experimental models is often obscured by macrovascular pathology and consequently demanding to study. The obese type 2 diabetic leptin-deficient (ob/ob) mouse lacks macrovascular complications, i.e. occlusive atherosclerotic disease, and may therefore be a potential model for microvascular dysfunction. The present study aimed to test the hypothesis that these mice with an insulin resistant phenotype might display microvascular dysfunction in both coronary and renal vascular beds.

Methods and Results

In this study we used non-invasive Doppler ultrasound imaging to characterize microvascular dysfunction during the progression of diabetes in ob/ob mice. Impaired coronary flow velocity reserve was observed in the ob/ob mice at 16 and 21 weeks of age compared to lean controls. In addition, renal resistivity index as well as pulsatility index was higher in the ob/ob mice at 21 weeks compared to lean controls. Moreover, plasma L-arginine was lower in ob/ob mice, while asymmetric dimethylarginine was unaltered. Furthermore, a decrease in renal vascular density was observed in the ob/ob mice.

Conclusion

In parallel to previously described metabolic disturbances, the leptin-deficient ob/ob mice also display cardiac and renal microvascular dysfunction. This model may therefore be suitable for translational, mechanistic and interventional studies to improve the understanding of microvascular complications in type 2 diabetes.     

Longitudinal Analysis of T and B Cell Phenotype and Function in Renal Transplant Recipients with or without Rituximab Induction Therapy

Background

Prevention of rejection after renal transplantation requires treatment with immunosuppressive drugs. Data on their in vivo effects on T- and B-cell phenotype and function are limited.

Methods

In a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study to prevent renal allograft rejection, patients were treated with tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), steroids, and a single dose of rituximab or placebo during transplant surgery. In a subset of patients, we analyzed the number and phenotype of peripheral T and B cells by multiparameter flow cytometry before transplantation, and at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after transplantation.

Results

In patients treated with tacrolimus/MMF/steroids the proportion of central memory CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells was higher at 3 months post-transplant compared to pre-transplant levels. In addition, the ratio between the percentage of central memory CD4⁺ and CD4⁺ regulatory T cells was significantly higher up to 24 months post-transplant compared to pre-transplant levels. Interestingly, treatment with tacrolimus/MMF/steroids resulted in a shift toward a more memory-like B-cell phenotype post-transplant. Addition of a single dose of rituximab resulted in a long-lasting B-cell depletion. At 12 months post-transplant, the small fraction of repopulated B cells consisted of a high percentage of transitional B cells. Rituximab treatment had no effect on the T-cell phenotype and function post-transplant.

Conclusions

Renal transplant recipients treated with tacrolimus/MMF/steroids show an altered memory T and B-cell compartment post-transplant. Additional B-cell depletion by rituximab leads to a relative increase of transitional and memory-like B cells, without affecting T-cell phenotype and function.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov {"type":"clinical-trial","attrs":{"text":"NCT00565331","term_id":"NCT00565331"}}NCT00565331     

Studies on the Absorption and Distribution of Doxycycline in Normal Patients and in Patients with Severely Impaired Renal Function

Doxycycline, a recently synthesized analogue of tetracycline, was given to 16 patients with normal renal function and to 14 patients with severely impaired renal function. Serum concentrations in the two groups following a single dose were followed after absorption. The rate of clearance from the plasma following a single dose did not differ significantly in the two groups despite low urinary concentrations in patients with renal failure. No accumulation of doxycycline occurred in the serum of three normal patients or of nine patients with renal failure when treated with either 200 mg. daily or 200 mg. initially followed by 100 mg. daily for up to 15 days.     

Efficacy and Safety of an Everolimus- vs. a Mycophenolate Mofetil-Based Regimen in Pediatric Renal Transplant Recipients

Introduction

Data on the efficacy and safety of everolimus in pediatric renal transplantation compared to other immunosuppressive regimens are scarce.

Patients/Methods

We therefore performed a multicenter, observational, matched cohort study over 4 years post-transplant in 35 patients on everolimus plus low-dose cyclosporine, who were matched (1:2) with a control group of 70 children receiving a standard-dose calcineurin-inhibitor- and mycophenolate mofetil-based regimen.

Results

Corticosteroids were withdrawn in 83% in the everolimus vs. 39% in the control group (p<0.001). Patient and graft survival were comparable. The rate of biopsy-proven acute rejection episodes Banff score ≥ IA during the first year post-transplant was 6% in the everolimus vs. 13% in the control group (p = 0.23). The rate of de novo donor-specific HLA antibodies (11% in everolimus, 18% in controls) was comparable (p = 0.55). At 4 years post-transplant, mean eGFR in the everolimus group was 56±33 ml/min per 1.73 m² vs. 63±22 ml/min per 1.73 m² in the control group (p = 0.14). Everolimus therapy was associated with less BK polyomavirus replication (3% vs. 17% in controls; p = 0.04), but with a higher percentage of arterial hypertension and more hyperlipidemia (p<0.001).

Conclusion

In pediatric renal transplantation, an everolimus-based regimen with low-dose cyclosporine yields comparable four year results as a standard regimen, but with a different side effect profile.     

Protective Function of von Hippel-Lindau Protein against Impaired Protein Processing in Renal Carcinoma Cells

The absence of functional von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) tumor suppressor gene leads to the development of neoplasias characteristic of VHL disease, including renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Here, we compared the sensitivity of RCC cells lacking VHL gene function with that of RCC cells expressing the wild-type VHL gene (wtVHL) after exposure to various stresses. While the response to most treatments was not affected by the VHL gene status, glucose deprivation was found to be much more cytotoxic for RCC cells lacking VHL gene function than for wtVHL-expressing cells. The heightened sensitivity of VHL-deficient cells was not attributed to dissimilar energy requirements or to differences in glucose uptake, but more likely reflects a lesser ability of VHL-deficient cells to handle abnormally processed proteins arising from impaired glycosylation. In support of this hypothesis, other treatments which act through different mechanisms to interfere with protein processing (i.e., tunicamycin, brefeldin A, and azetidine) were also found to be much more toxic for VHL-deficient cells. Furthermore, ubiquitination of cellular proteins was elevated in VHL-deficient cells, particularly after glucose deprivation, supporting a role for the VHL gene in ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis. Accordingly, the rate of elimination of abnormal proteins was lower in cells lacking a functional VHL gene than in wtVHL-expressing cells. Thus, pVHL appears to participate in the elimination of misprocessed proteins, such as those arising in the cell due to the unavailability of glucose or to other stresses.     

Association of RAC1 Gene Polymorphisms with Primary End-Stage Renal Disease in Chinese Renal Recipients

Background/Objective

RAC1 gene could influence susceptibility to renal failure by altering the activity and expression of Rac1, which is a member of the Rho family of small GTP-binding proteins. In clinical practice, renal transplantation provides the optimal treatment for people with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The objective of this present study was to determine whether the RAC1 gene polymorphisms were associated with primary ESRD susceptibility in Chinese renal recipients.

Methods

Six single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of RAC1 gene, including rs836488 T>C, rs702482 A>T, rs10951982 G>A, rs702483 A>G, rs6954996 G>A, and rs9374 G>A, were genotyped in 300 renal transplant recipients (cases) and 998 healthy Chinese subjects (controls) by using TaqMan SNP genotyping assay. Allele, genotype, and haplotype frequencies of the six SNPs were compared between cases and controls. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated in logistic regression models to evaluate the associations of the six SNPs with ESRD risk.

Results

The genotype distributions for the six SNPs in controls were consistent with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P > 0.05). Association analysis revealed that three SNPs were significantly associated with ESRD risk. Positive associations with ESRD risk were found for the rs836488, rs702482, and rs702483 in the co-dominant model (minor allele homozygotes versus major allele homozygotes); specifically, the frequencies of the minor allele homozygotes and the minor allele for the three SNPs were higher in the cases than in the controls. In addition, these three SNPs also had associations with increased ESRD risk under the additive model (P < 0.05), and positive associations were also found for the rs836488 in the dominant model (P < 0.05) and for the rs702483 in the recessive model (P < 0.05). All these associations were independent of confounding factors. The other three SNPs (rs10951982, rs6954996, and rs9374), in all comparison models, were not associated with ESRD risk (P > 0.05). In haplotype analysis, carriers with "C-T-G-G-G-G" haplotype had a significantly higher risk of ESRD compared with the most common haplotype "T-A-G-A-G-G" (P = 0.011, OR = 1.46, 95% CI = 1.09–1.94).

Conclusion

This study suggested that polymorphisms of RAC1 gene might influence the susceptibility to ESRD in Chinese Han population. Further studies are necessary to confirm our findings.     

Renal Function and Hematology in Rats with Congenital Renal Hypoplasia

Renal hypoplasia due to a congenitally reduced number of nephrons progresses to chronic kidney disease and may cause renal anemia, given that the kidneys are a major source of erythropoietin in adults. Hypoplastic kidney (HPK) rats have only about 20% of the normal number of nephrons and develop CKD. This study assessed the renal function and hematologic changes in HPK rats from 70 to 210 d of age. HPK rats demonstrated deterioration of renal excretory function, slightly macrocytic erythropenia at all days examined, age-related increases in splenic hemosiderosis accompanied by a tendency toward increased hemolysis, normal plasma erythropoietin levels associated with increased hepatic and decreased renal erythropoietin production, and maintenance of the response for erythropoietin production to hypoxic conditions, with increased interstitial fibrosis at 140 d of age. These results indicate that increases in splenic hemosiderosis and the membrane fragility of RBC might be associated with erythropenia and that hepatic production of erythropoietin might contribute to maintaining the blood Hgb concentration in HPK rats.Abbreviations: CKD, chronic kidney disease; HGN, hypogonadism; HPK, hypoplastic kidneyApproximately 10% to 13% of the general population has chronic kidney disease (CKD), including an estimated 13.3 million people in Japan.^13,15,20 Moreover, more than 1.1 million patients worldwide require maintenance dialysis, and that number continues to increase.²⁴ Determining the pathogenesis of CKD, identifying clinical makers of early stages of CKD, and developing effective methods to treat CKD are required, especially given that CKD has been reported to be a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, with high mortality rates.^11,13,15 Patients with CKD are frequently anemic, due to a low level of erythropoietin and inhibition of erythropoiesis.^12,27 The decreased production of erythropoietin may result from the transdifferentiation of interstitial fibroblasts to myofibroblasts, resulting in increased production of extracellular matrix in the kidneys.^4,29 The number of nephrons in the kidneys at birth varies greatly,^5,19 and a congenital reduction in number of nephrons is thought to be related to the occurrence and prognosis of CKD.^9,17,18,21 Therefore, a CKD animal model with a reduced number of nephrons is useful for studying the pathophysiology of and treatments for CKD.Affected rats in the hypogonadism (HGN) inbred strain are characterized by male sterility due to hypogonadism,^37,41 reduced female fertility due to ovarian hypoplasia,^30,31 and progressive renal dysfunction due to bilateral hypoplastic kidneys (HPK).^32,33 These defects are controlled by a single autosomal recessive gene, hgn.^38,40 Linkage analysis and sequencing of candidate genes revealed a 25-bp duplicated insertion mutation in exon 7 of Astrin/Spag5, which encodes a microtubule-associated protein.³⁹ Because this mutation causes a premature terminal codon resulting in a truncated Astrin protein that lacks the primary spindle-targeting domain, the cause of the phenotype is considered to be a loss-of-function type mutation of the Astrin gene.^38,39 The recovery of normal fertility and renal function in homozygous mutant rats by a transgene comprising normal Astrin cDNA indicates that Astrin is required for normal testicular and renal development.²²The HGN strain was isolated from the sixth filial generation of a polygenic hydronephrotic rat strain derived from the original stock of the Wistar–Imamichi rat closed colony.⁴¹ Because the occurrence of hydronephrosis would influence renal development and function, we established another hypogonadism strain (HGN II) that was directly derived from the original closed colony.³⁶ The HGN II strain has been maintained by inbreeding between carriers, and the mutated gene responsible for the phenotype in the HGN II strain is identical to that in the HGN strain.³⁹ The affected rats of the HGN II strain show a similar phenotype as that of the HGN strain with regard to hypogonadism and HPK.^35,36Although male HPK rats in the HGN and HGN II strains have only about 20% of the nephrons present in normal kidney, the total glomerular filtration rate per kidney is compensated by hyperfiltration of individual glomeruli.^32,36 However, continuous glomerular hyperfiltration and functional overload of individual nephrons can result in a deterioration in renal excretion. Histologically, HPK rats demonstrate glomerular hypertrophy and dilation of the renal tubules.^32,36 As these rats age, cast formation in tubular lumen, glomerular sclerosis, and cellular infiltration into interstitial tissue occur.^33,35 In addition, age-related features of renal deterioration, including polyposia, polyuria, azotemia, albuminuria, and hypertension, follow,³⁵ and secondary hyperparathyroidism, osteodystrophy, and anemia emerge at advanced age in HPK rats.³³ Therefore HPK rats are a model for studying how a congenitally reduced nephron mass may induce CKD and secondary renal diseases, and HPK rats might be useful for identifying biomarkers related to these diseases. Because our previous studies in HPK rats^33,35 provided only limited information about the progression of CKD and renal anemia, the current study was designed to analyze multiple parameters related to renal function and hematology and to characterize the anemic tendencies in 70- to 210-d-old HPK rats. We found that the hematologic condition of HPK rats is characterized by reduced renal excretive function, erythropenia, increased hemolysis in the spleen, progressive renal fibrosis, and maintenance of normal plasma erythropoietin concentrations.     

Mortality Predictors in Renal Transplant Recipients with Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock

Introduction

The growing number of renal transplant recipients in a sustained immunosuppressive state is a factor that can contribute to increased incidence of sepsis. However, relatively little is known about sepsis in this population. The aim of this single-center study was to evaluate the factors associated with hospital mortality in renal transplant patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) with severe sepsis and septic shock.

Methods

Patient demographics and transplant-related and ICU stay data were retrospectively collected. Multiple logistic regression was conducted to identify the independent risk factors associated with hospital mortality.

Results

A total of 190 patients were enrolled, 64.2% of whom received kidneys from deceased donors. The mean patient age was 51±13 years (males, 115 [60.5%]), and the median APACHE II was 20 (16–23). The majority of patients developed sepsis late after the renal transplantation (2.1 [0.6–2.3] years). The lung was the most common infection site (59.5%). Upon ICU admission, 16.4% of the patients had ≤1 systemic inflammatory response syndrome criteria. Among the patients, 61.5% presented with ≥2 organ failures at admission, and 27.9% experienced septic shock within the first 24 hours of ICU admission. The overall hospital mortality rate was 38.4%. In the multivariate analysis, the independent determinants of hospital mortality were male gender (OR = 5.9; 95% CI, 1.7–19.6; p = 0.004), delta SOFA 24 h (OR = 1.7; 95% CI, 1.2–2.3; p = 0.001), mechanical ventilation (OR = 30; 95% CI, 8.8–102.2; p<0.0001), hematologic dysfunction (OR = 6.8; 95% CI, 2.0–22.6; p = 0.002), admission from the ward (OR = 3.4; 95% CI, 1.2–9.7; p = 0.02) and acute kidney injury stage 3 (OR = 5.7; 95% CI,1.9–16.6; p = 0.002).

Conclusions

Hospital mortality in renal transplant patients with severe sepsis and septic shock was associated with male gender, admission from the wards, worse SOFA scores on the first day and the presence of hematologic dysfunction, mechanical ventilation or advanced graft dysfunction.     

环孢素A抑制骨水泥颗粒诱导破骨细胞形成及功能

目的:探讨环孢素A对颗粒诱导破骨细胞形成及功能的影响。方法:取SD仔鼠双侧股骨和胫骨的骨髓,以不含血清的α-MEM培养液洗涤并收集骨髓细胞,再将细胞重悬于含10%胎牛血清及10~(-8)mol/L1,25-(OH)_2D_3的α-MEM培养液中,细胞计数后配成1.5×10~7/ml的细胞悬液,加入聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯(PMMA)颗粒和不同浓度的环孢素A(10~((-8)mol/L、10~(-7)mol/L、10~(-6) mol/L)于24孔培养板进行培养,并设置阳性对照组(只加PMMA颗粒)和阴性对照组(PMMA颗粒和CsA均不加),每组均有4孔放置骨磨片1片进行培养。培养2周后,行抗酒石酸(TRAP)染色检测破骨细胞形成;骨磨片行甲苯胺蓝染色观察。结果:PM- MA颗粒能够诱导大量TRAP染色阳性的破骨细胞形成,骨磨片有吸收陷窝形成;用环孢素A(10~(-8)mol/L、10~(-7)mol/L)和PMMA颗粒共同培养下TRAP染色阳性的破骨细胞形成数量明显减少,环孢素A浓度达到10~(-6)mol/L时无TRAP染色阳性的破骨细胞形成;环孢素A浓度在(10~(-8)mol/L、10~(-7)mol/L)时骨磨片有吸收陷窝形成,但少于阳性对照组,在10~(-6)mol/L时骨磨片则无吸收陷窝的形成。结论:环孢素A对PMMA颗粒诱导的破骨细胞的形成有着明显的抑制作用,且呈剂量依赖性。