title: Long-term genotoxic effects of immunosuppressive drugs on lymphocytes of kidney transplant recipients.
abstract: Immunosuppressive therapy can prevent rejection after organ transplantation. However, increased cancer risk is a serious complication among patients undergoing such therapy. We have evaluated whether prolonged use of immunosuppressive drugs is genotoxic. DNA instability was assessed, using the comet and micronucleus assays, in blood lymphocytes of 76 kidney transplant patients. DNA damage detected by the comet assay increased with time after transplantation. The estimated glomerular filtration rate of the patients did not influence the incidence of DNA damage. No association between micronucleated mononucleated cells and time elapsed after transplantation was observed. Our results suggest that prolonged use of immunosuppressive drugs in kidney transplant patients can induce genetic instability.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Biology, Center of Biological Sciences, State University of Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil. Electronic address: hlc_heloisa@yahoo.com.br.
authors.forename: Heloísa
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lizotti Cilião
authors.affiliation: Center of Health Sciences, State University of Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil.
authors.forename: Rossana
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Batista de Oliveira Camargo-Godoy
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Analyses, Toxicology and Food Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Gustavo Rafael
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Mazzaron Barcelos
authors.affiliation: Center of Health Sciences, State University of Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil.
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zanuto
authors.affiliation: Center of Health Sciences, State University of Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil.
authors.forename: Vinicius
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Daher Alvares Delfino
authors.affiliation: Department of General Biology, Center of Biological Sciences, State University of Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ilce Mara
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: de Syllos Cólus
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D020552:Comet Assay; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000633:toxicity*; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D015162:Micronucleus Tests; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents
keywords: Comet assay; Glomerular filtration rate; Immunosuppressive drugs; Kidney transplant; Micronucleus assay