[Conversion to rapamycin in liver transpant recipients with renal insufficiency].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the efficacy of conversion from calcineurin-inhibitor (CNI) to rapamycin in liver recipients with CNI-associated renal insufficiency.


METHODS
This retrospective study examined the liver transplant recipients who had switched from CNI to rapamycin between January 2004 and June 2008 in the first affiliated hospital of Sun Yat-sen University. The data of renal function before and after the conversion were analyzed by Wilcoxon sum rank test, and rapamycin-related adverse effects were also observed.


RESULTS
Compared with that before conversion, the renal funtion 4 months after the conversion improved significantly (P<0.05). The blood lipid level 3 months after the conversion increased significantly (P<0.05) but were well controlled.


CONCLUSIONS
Rapamycin can be used safely as a good alternative in liver transplant recipients with CNI-related renal insufficiency.
Yu
Si
S
Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China. yusi1976111@yahoo.com.cn
He
Xiao-Shun
XS
Ma
Yi
Y
Hu
An-Bin
AB
Wu
Lin-Wei
LW
Zhu
Xiao-Feng
XF
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D065095:Calcineurin Inhibitors; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D051437:Renal Insufficiency / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D020123:Sirolimus / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D055815:Young Adult
D065095:Calcineurin Inhibitors; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D020123:Sirolimus