The effect of immunosuppressive agents on lipid profile of post renal transplant patients

Abstract EN

Objective: To determine the effect of the different immunosuppressive medications on the lipid profile of renal transplant recipients with normal renal functions. Methods: A Single blinded study was conducted on patients who underwent live-related renal transplants at Queen Alia Military Hospital between January 2001 and March 2003. They were divided into two groups according to the immunosuppressive treatment.

Group I: On tacrolimus and Group II: On ciclosporine (Neoral)®.

Both groups received in addition steroids and either azathioprine or Mycophenolate Mofitel. Inclusion Criteria includes normal blood glucose and normal lipid profile prior to transplantation. Total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides were measured monthly for at least three months after transplantation. Statistical significance was considered if P <_0.05. Results: In both groups, the mean total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides were indifferent; while there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in favor of the ciclosporine (Neoral) group. Conclusion: Tacrolimus and ciclosporine have a similar effect on total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides; while Ciclosporine is better in raising the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol.

Further long-term studies are required to determine the effect of these lipid profile changes on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.