title: Endothelin-1 plasma levels and hypertension in cyclosporine-treated renal transplant patients.
abstract: Experimental models suggest that endothelin-1 (ET-1) has a significant role in the pathogenesis of cyclosporin A (CyA)-induced hypertension. However, its serum levels evaluated in different studies, including patients who received solid organ transplants, exhibited controversial results. Our study population consisted of 43 renal transplant patients: 33 were taking CyA as a component of their immunosuppressive regimen (CyA group) and 10 that were not taking CyA (control group). Baseline laboratory data, blood pressure and ET-1 levels were taken at baseline and 3 and 4 h after the ingestion of CyA. In the control group samples were collected in the corresponding periods of time. Blood pressure was significantly higher in the CyA group (mean blood pressure: 101.2 +/- 9.5 vs. 91.1 +/- 10.7 mmHg; p < 0.001), who also presented higher serum creatinine (1.2 +/- 0.28 vs. 0.97 +/- 0.13 mg/dL; p < 0.001) and ET-1 levels. In the CyA group an ET-1 peak was evident by the third hour after CyA ingestion that showed its maximum concentration after 1-2 h; the control group exhibited significantly lower levels of ET-1 (p = 0.044). ET-1 levels compared between patients with and without hypertension showed a non-statistically significant difference (1.54 +/- 0.76 vs. 1.27 +/- 0.62 ng/mL; p = 0.27, respectively). In conclusion, in the present study chronic CyA ingestion was associated with higher blood pressure and plasma ET-1 levels.
authors: Post Graduate Nephrology Program, School of Medicine, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul and Division of Nephrology, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors: Rafael L
authors: RL
authors: Cauduro
authors: Cesar
authors: C
authors: Costa
authors: Francisco
authors: F
authors: Lhulier
authors: Règis G
authors: RG
authors: Garcia
authors: Renan D
authors: RD
authors: Cabral
authors: Luiz F S
authors: LF
authors: Gonçalves
authors: Roberto C
authors: RC
authors: Manfro
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019332:Endothelin-1 / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D019332:Endothelin-1; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016572:Cyclosporine; D003404:Creatinine