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| Sirolimus as primary immunosuppressant for calcineurin inhibitor-related renal insufficiency after liver transplantation |
| Yong-Jiu Yang, Li-Xin Li, Qiang He, Hua Fan, Zhong-Kui Jin, Ren Lang, Jian-Tao Kou, Peng Li, De-Hong Xie and Da-Zhi Chen |
Beijing, China
Author Affiliations: Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, and Department of Liver Transplantation, Beijing Transplantation Center, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital University of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100020, China (Yang YJ, Li LX, He Q, Fan H, Jin ZK, Lang R, Kou JT, Li P, Xie DH and Chen DZ)
Corresponding Author: Da-Zhi Chen, MD, Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital University of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100020, China (Tel: 86-10-85231503; Fax: 86-10-85231503; Email: chendazhi@medmail.com.cn) |
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Abstract BACKGROUND: Calcineurin inhibitor-related renal toxicity affects patient and graft survival in transplant recipients. This study aimed to determine whether sirolimus is effective and safe in treating renal insufficiency related to tacrolimus after liver transplantation.
METHODS: Tacrolimus for primary immunosuppression was used in 16 patients after liver transplantation. Patients with a creatinine level higher than 132.6 µmol/L were eligible for conversion to sirolimus. Simultaneously, the dose of tacrolimus was decreased to half. Blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, tacrolimus level, liver function and rejection episodes were monitored dynamically.
RESULTS: All patients showed improvement of renal function after conversion to sirolimus. Blood creatinine level was reduced from 146.8±92.4 to 105.3±71.3 µmol/L (P<0.05). One patient had an acute rejection episode that was successfully treated with pulsed corticosteroids and low-dose tacrolimus. The side-effects of sirolimus included hyperlipidemia (4 patients) and leukocytopenia (2).
CONCLUSION: Sirolimus can be safely used in liver transplant recipients suffering from tacrolimus-related renal insufficiency.
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| Cite this article: |
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Yang YJ,
Li LX,
He Q,
et al.
Sirolimus as primary immunosuppressant for calcineurin inhibitor-related renal insufficiency after liver transplantation.
Hepatobiliary Pancreat Dis Int
2007;
6(4):
376-378. DOI:
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| URL: |
| http://dx.doi.org/ OR http://www.hbpdint.com/EN/Y2007/V6/I4/376 |
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2007, Vol. 6 
