title: Drugs modulating endothelial function after transplantation.
abstract: Endothelial cells play a vital role in the success or failure of a transplant procedure. The procedure itself can be viewed as a series of insults that damages the endothelium thereby triggering an inflammatory cascade that may, if uncontrolled, drive the proliferative and fibrotic processes characteristic of chronic graft vasculopathy. Unfortunately, many immunosuppressant agents contribute to this process. Glucocorticoids and the calcineurin inhibitor cyclosporine induce endothelial dysfunction, and although tacrolimus may not have the same disruptive effects on endothelial function as cyclosporine, its endothelial activity is still being established. In contrast, antiproliferative agents slow the proliferation and migration of endothelial cells and so help protect against graft vasculopathy. Researchers agree that endothelial cell dysfunction is a potentially treatable stage in the multifactorial process of graft vasculopathy and rejection. A number of cardiovascular agents (statins, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, calcium channel blockers), immunoregulatory drugs, and dietary compounds have been shown to have beneficial effects on endothelial function. We briefly review the evidence supporting their use as protection for endothelial cells in transplant recipients.
authors.affiliation: Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik I, University Hospital Munich-Grosshadern, Ludwig-Maximilians University of Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nickel
authors.forename: Christoph L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Schlichting
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Weis
mesh_terms: D002317:Cardiovascular Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016377:Organ Transplantation; D020011:Protective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D002317:Cardiovascular Agents; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D020011:Protective Agents