title: Improvement of graft function after conversion to once daily tacrolimus of stable kidney transplant patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chronic renal dysfunction is present in about one quarter of kidney transplant patients at 1 year and in about 90% by 10 years. Nephrotoxicity caused by calcineurin inhibitors is among the most common factors. Elevated tacrolimus levels have been correlated with worse control of side effects including acute and/or chronic nephrotoxicity. The aim of this study was to observe the effects on graft function of conversion from the twice daily to the once daily extended release tacrolimus formulation in stable kidney transplant recipients within 5 years of grafting.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-one stable kidney transplant patients were converted at the same dosage (1 mg:1 mg). Patients served as their own controls based on results before versus after conversion.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The trough levels of tacrolimus showed a slight albeit significant reduction after the conversion. Serum creatinine and glomerular filtration rate showed a significant improvement without an association with the tacrolimus trough levels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We suggest that the immunosuppression with once daily tacrolimus may be a good option for kidney transplant patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Medicine, Nephrology and Dialysis Unit, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy. francesca.tinti@uniroma1.it
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tinti
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Meçule
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Poli
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bachetoni
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Umbro
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Brunini
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Barile
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Nofroni
authors.forename: P B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Berloco
authors.forename: A P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Mitterhofer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D005919:Glomerular Filtration Rate; D006085:Graft Survival; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D003404:Creatinine; D016559:Tacrolimus