title: Effect of allopurinol on slowing allograft functional decline in kidney transplant recipients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Hyperuricemia may be a risk factor for graft loss in kidney transplant recipients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of allopurinol in kidney transplant recipients.
  
  
  METHODS
  A single center retrospective case-control study was performed with kidney transplant recipients who were treated with allopurinol (54 patients) and a control group matched for time of transplant (± 3 months) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (54 patients). We evaluated the relation between allopurinol use and estimated glomerular filtration rate, graft survival, blood pressure, and number of anti-hypertensive drugs used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At the start of allopurinol therapy, mean serum uric acid level was greater in the allopurinol (476 ± 119 μmol/L) than control group (404 ± 125 μmol/L; P ≤ .001) and estimated glomerular filtration rate was similar between the 2 groups (allopurinol, 39 ± 16 mL/min; control, 38 ± 16 mL/min; not significant). At 1 year, mean estimated glomerular filtration rate was greater in the allopurinol than control group (allopurinol, 41 ± 15 mL/min; control, 36 ± 13 mL/min; P ≤ .04). At 2 years, mean serum uric acid level was significantly lower in the allopurinol (399 ± 101 μmol/L) than control group (452 ± 95 μmol/L; P ≤ .02). Graft survival, blood pressure, and antihypertensive requirements were similar between the groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Allopurinol use is associated with preservation of estimated glomerular filtration rate in kidney transplant recipients. There may be potential benefit in treating asymptomatic hyperuricemia in kidney transplant recipients.
authors.affiliation: Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Department of Medicine, Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Liliana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Osadchuk
authors.forename: Muhammad H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Bashir
authors.forename: Bhargavi
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Tangirala
authors.forename: Richard J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Marcus
authors.forename: Khaled
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nashar
authors.forename: Sabiha M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Hussain
authors.forename: Kalathil K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Sureshkumar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000493:Allopurinol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D005919:Glomerular Filtration Rate / Q000187:drug effects*; D006074:Gout Suppressants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006085:Graft Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D033461:Hyperuricemia / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010414:Pennsylvania; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D006074:Gout Suppressants; D000493:Allopurinol