Beneficial Effects of High S100A9 Expression On Graft Infiltrating Myeloid Cells in Kidney Transplantation.

Prednisone in combination with cyclosporine and/or azathioprine is commonly used after kidney transplantation to prevent graft rejection. Long-term use of prednisone can give rise to multiple side effects and morbidity. This randomized study was conducted to find out if prednisone could be withdrawn in recipients at least 1 yr after kidney transplantation. Eighty-four such recipients of a cadaveric kidney with stable renal function on cyclosporine and prednisone were randomized to continue prednisone (N = 42) or to withdraw prednisone in a 2-month period (N = 42). The main end point was the percentage of successful prednisone withdrawal. Both groups were compared for the incidence of infections and cardiovascular risk factors and for the incidence and cause of deterioration of renal function. All patients had a 14-month follow-up. In 67% (N = 28) of the patients, prednisone could be withdrawn successfully. Acute rejection was the main cause of withdrawal failure (N = 11, 26%). No grafts were lost due to rejection. In the prednisone withdrawal group, a tendency was noted for a lower incidence of infections (difference: 17%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -4% to 37%). After withdrawal, less antihypertensive drugs were necessary to control hypertension (difference: 0.5 drugs/patient; 95% CI: -0.9 to -0.1) and 35% less patients (23 of 41 versus nine of 42) needed cholesterol-lowering drugs (95% CI: -54% to -15%). A reduction of the frequency of patients with Type II diabetes mellitus was found (difference 10%; 95% CI: -24% to 5%) with a decrease of glycosylated hemoglobin (difference: 0.4 mmol/L; 95% CI: 0.1 to 0.8). Disappearance of moonface was found in 25% of the patients. Elective withdrawal of prednisone > 1 yr after postmortal kidney transplantation can be accomplished safely provided that patients are controlled frequently. Beneficial effects were found regarding hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, hyperglycemia, and appearance.

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The Beneficial Effects of Recipient-Derived Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor on Graft Survival after Kidney Transplantation

Transplantation Journal ◽

10.1097/01.tp.0000161219.75906.ec ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 79 (9) ◽

pp. 1221-1225 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Francine B. C. Lemos ◽

Wendy M. Mol ◽

Joke I. Roodnat ◽

Andr?? Uitterlinden ◽

Jan N. M. IJzermans ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor ◽

Kidney Transplantation ◽

Growth Factor ◽

Graft Survival ◽

Vascular Endothelial ◽

Beneficial Effects ◽

Endothelial Growth Factor

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Nuclear receptors in disease: the oestrogen receptors

Essays in Biochemistry ◽

10.1042/bse0400157 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 40 ◽

pp. 157-167 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Maria Nilsson ◽

Karin Dahlman-Wright ◽

Jan-Åke Gustafsson

Keyword(s):

Nuclear Receptors ◽

Target Genes ◽

Receptor Subtype ◽

Target Tissue ◽

Oestrogen Receptors ◽

Nucleotide Polymorphisms ◽

Cell Type ◽

Single Nucleotide ◽

Beneficial Effects ◽

The Family

For several decades, it has been known that oestrogens are essential for human health. The discovery that there are two oestrogen receptors (ERs), ERalpha and ERbeta, has facilitated our understanding of how the hormone exerts its physiological effects. The ERs belong to the family of ligand-activated nuclear receptors, which act by modulating the expression of target genes. Studies of ER-knockout (ERKO) mice have been instrumental in defining the relevance of a given receptor subtype in a certain tissue. Phenotypes displayed by ERKO mice suggest diseases in which dysfunctional ERs might be involved in aetiology and pathology. Association between single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in ER genes and disease have been demonstrated in several cases. Selective ER modulators (SERMs), which are selective with regard to their effects in a certain cell type, already exist. Since oestrogen has effects in many tissues, the goal with a SERM is to provide beneficial effects in one target tissue while avoiding side effects in others. Refined SERMs will, in the future, provide improved therapeutic strategies for existing and novel indications.

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