title: Evaluation of immune function under conversion from Prograf to Advagraf in living donor liver transplantation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although some reports have shown the safety and efficacy of conversion from Prograf to Advagraf in liver transplantation, there have been no reports showing the change of immune function after conversion. The aim of this study is not only to analyze the safety and efficacy of conversion from Prograf to Advagraf, but also to evaluate the immune function using the ImmuKnow assay.
  
  
  METHODS
  Of the 168 living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) patients, 21 recipients whose liver function was stable after discharge in outpatient clinic and who agreed to conversion from Prograf to Advagraf were enrolled in this study. Liver, renal, and immune functions were retrospectively reviewed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no significant differences in liver and renal function after conversion from Prograf to Advagraf. The intracellular adenosine triphosphate levels before and after conversion were 263±157 and 256±133 ng/ml, respectively, and there was also no significant difference in immune function. None of the recipients showed adverse effects, rejection, or severe infection during the study. It should be further noted that none of the recipients had to increase the dose of Advagraf, while five of 21 recipients (24%) were able to reduce the dose of Advagraf during this study.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Conversion from Prograf to Advagraf in LDLT can be performed safely and effectively without affecting liver, renal, and immune function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki, Japan.
authors.forename: Takayuki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tanaka
authors.forename: Mitsuhisa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Takatsuki
authors.forename: Akihiko
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Soyama
authors.forename: Yasuhiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Torashima
authors.forename: Ayaka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kinoshita
authors.forename: Izumi
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Yamaguchi
authors.forename: Tomohiko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Adachi
authors.forename: Amane
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kitasato
authors.forename: Tamotsu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kuroki
authors.forename: Susumu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Eguchi
mesh_terms: D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000378:metabolism; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D005260:Female; D005919:Glomerular Filtration Rate; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007668:Kidney / Q000503:physiopathology; D008099:Liver / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D019520:Living Donors; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014181:Transplantation Immunology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate; D016559:Tacrolimus