OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of donor bone marrow transfusion on kidney function in renal allograft recipients.

METHODSFrom May 1999 through May 2004, 74 cadaver renal transplant patients received postoperative donor bone marrow transfusion (DBMT group), the clinical outcomes were compared with 74 non-infused renal transplant recipients (control group). Both groups received the renal allograft from the same donor and were given equivalent immunosuppressant. The immunosuppressive regimen included tacrolimus/CiclosporinA, mycophenolate mofetil, and prednisolone maintenance. Patients were followed up for 24 to 108 months (mean 69.5 months).

RESULTThe serum creatinine concentrations of DBMT group at 1,2 and 3 y after operation were (105 + or - 23.9)micromol/L,(107.5 + or - 32.4) micromol/L and (115 + or - 26.6)micromol/L; those of control group were (114.7 + or - 28)micromol/L,(116.5 + or - 27.6)micromol/L and (125 + or - 32.6)micromol/L,respectively. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of DBMT group at 1,2 and 3 y after operation were (70.2 + or - 24.4)ml/min, (74.3 + or - 24.1)ml/min and (73.5 + or - 22.4)ml/min; those of control group were (62.4 + or - 15.8)ml/min, (63.9 + or - 18.7)ml/min and (61.9 + or - 20.3)ml/min. After 5 year-follow-up,the prevalence of proteinuria in DBMT group was 50% (37/74),that was 77% (57/74) in control group (P<0.01). Only 3/74 DBMT recipients had biopsy-proven chronic rejection, whereas 12/74 showed chronic rejection in the controls (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONIn kidney transplant recipients DBMC infusions may improve the long-term graft survival.