title: Effect of calcium-channel blocker on tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) production in cyclosporin-treated renal transplant recipients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The influence of calcium-channel blocker treatment on in-vitro TNF alpha production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from renal transplant recipients treated with cyclosporin was studied.
  
  
  METHODS
  We compared spontaneous and OKT3-induced TNF alpha production of 12 renal transplant recipients treated with calcium-channel blocker therapy with that of 18 renal transplant recipients who were never treated with a calcium antagonist.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The two groups were similar with regards to age, time after transplantation, dosage of immunosuppressive drugs, and blood cyclosporin levels. Spontaneous (481 +/- 161 versus 319 +/- 74 pg/ml, n.s.) and OKT3-induced (745 +/- 182 versus 632 +/- 112 pg/ml, n.s.) TNF alpha production were similar in both groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results indicate that in cyclosporin-treated renal transplant recipients calcium-channel blockers do not affect TNF alpha production.
authors.affiliation: Service of Nephrology, Hospital Alarcos, Ciudad Real, Spain.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Peces
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Urra
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000601:surgery; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D016853:Muromonab-CD3 / Q000494:pharmacology; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016853:Muromonab-CD3; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D016572:Cyclosporine