OBJECTIVETo verify the pharmacological hypothesis of prescriptions by studying the targeted distribution of major components in stewed rhubarb in the rat model with acute pancreatitis (AP).

METHODNormal SD rats (control group, n = 5) and the AP model induced with intraperitoneal cerulein (model group, n = 5) were taken as the experimental objects. Rats of the two groups were orally administered with stewed rhubarb granules (20 g x kg(-1)). Their heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney and pancreas were collected two hours after the administration. Such constituents as emodin, chrysophanol, physcion, rhein and aloe-emodin and their concentrations in each tissue homogenate were detected by high performance liquid chromatography-mass-mass.

RESULTAloe-emodin and physcion in stewed rhubarb whose concentrations in liver and kidney of normal rats were higher than that in pancreatic tissues, while the distribution spectrums and concentrations of the remaining components in pancreatic tissues had no significant difference with that of other organs. The concentrations of emodin, aloe-emodin, rhein and chrysophanol in stewed rhubarb in pancreatic tissues of the AP model group were higher than that in other tissues and organs, while their concentrations in pancreatic, renal and splenic tissues were notably higher than that in the normal group.

CONCLUSIONIn the conditions of AP, effective components in stewed rhubarb show a targeted distribution feature in pancreas, which provides experimental basis for the pharmacological hypothesis of prescriptions.

Acute Disease ; Animals ; Anthraquinones ; pharmacokinetics ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacokinetics ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Organ Specificity ; Pancreatitis ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rheum ; chemistry

BACKGROUNDMarginal renal grafts may alleviate the shortage of suitable organs to meet an increasing demand of kidney transplantation, especially when live donors are currently limited to relatives of patients in China. The aim of this study was to investigate how to increase the available donors pool, evaluation, and treatment of marginal donors.

METHODSWe had performed 121 kidney transplantation cases with living relative donors. Five out of these cases applied marginal grafts with surgical diseases, including one renal stone, one duplex kidney, one renal leiomyoma and two cases of simple renal cysts. In each case, particular surgical interventions were exerted on the graft prior to standard engrafting procedures.

RESULTSAll recipients recovered with functioning transplants given that their serum creatinine levels declined to a normal range within one week after operation. These recipients were subsequently followed up for 10 months on average and their kidney functions remained stable.

CONCLUSIONSMarginal renal grafts with surgical diseases, which can be treated surgically before engrafting, may provide satisfying transplantation outcomes. Positive and cautious consideration of these grafts may increase renal donor pool.

Adult ; China ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney Transplantation ; Living Donors ; Male ; Middle Aged

BACKGROUNDIn the past decades, the one-year graft survival of cadaveric renal allografts has been markedly improved, but their long-term survival has not kept pace. The attrition rate of renal allografts surviving after one year remains almost unchanged. The causes for late graft loss are multiple. The aim of this study was to analyze the predictive factors that impact long-term survival of grafts after kidney transplantation.

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed 524 kidney transplantation patients who were treated in our hospital between January 1991 and January 2000, including 254 patients who had lived more than 10 years with normal graft function (long survival group), and 270 cases whose renal graft had survived less than 10 years (control group). Specifically, we analyzed 10 factors that may potentially affect graft survival by both univariate and Logistic model multivariate analyses to pinpoint the independent risk factors.

RESULTSUnivariate analyses showed that no significant differences existed in the age or gender of recipients, dialysis time, lymphotoxin levels, or cold ischemia time between the two groups. However, the ratio of delayed graft function and acute rejection, and the uric acid levels of patients in the long survival group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.01). Furthermore, we found that the concentration of cyclosporin A at one year after transplantation and the histocompatibility antigen match of donor-recipients for patients within the long survival group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P < 0.01). Furthermore, multivariate analyses showed that these four factors were independent risk factors that impact patient survival.

CONCLUSIONSThe ratios of delayed graft function and acute rejection, the concentration of cyclosporin A at one year after transplantation, and serum uric acid levels are very important factors that affect the long-term survival of renal grafts.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Graft Rejection ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Graft Survival ; physiology ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; therapeutic use ; Kidney Transplantation ; adverse effects ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDInduction therapy are utilized to achieve an adequate immunosuppression at the time of transplantation. The use of basiliximab or anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) for induction therapy has significantly reduced the incidence of acute rejection episodes post-transplantation. The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of the basiliximab in patients with immuno-induction therapy after kidney transplantation with the ATG.

METHODSA retrospective analysis was carried out in kidney transplant recipients including 146 patients with the basiliximab and 116 cases with the ATG and the acute rejection, graft function, infective complications and 1-year and 5-year actuarial patient and graft survival after renal transplantation were compared between the two treatment groups.

RESULTSThere were no statistically significant difference between groups regarding age, sex, cold ischemic time, warm ischemic time, human leukocyte antigen (HLA) matching type between the donor and recipient, lymphotoxin test and the use of immunosuppressive agents. There was no statistical significance regarding the incidence of the acute rejection (9.59% vs. 8.62%, P = 0.481) and delayed graft function (10.27% vs. 9.48%, P = 0.501) between groups. There were significantly lower lung infection incidence (5.48% vs. 12.93%, P = 0.029) in the basiliximab-treated group in comparison with the ATG-treated group. One-year patient and graft survival rates were 98%, 97% for the basiliximab-treated group, and 95%, 73% for the ATG-treated group, respectively. Five-year patient and graft survival rates were 92%, 86% for the basiliximab-treated group and 93%, 72% for the ATG-treated group, respectively. Log rank test showed statistically significant difference with P = 0.038 for patients and P = 0.033 for grafts, respectively. There were significantly lower the incidence of granulocytopenia (8.22% vs. 17.24%, P = 0.022) and thrombocytopenia (4.11% vs. 19.83%, P = 0.000) after transplantation in the basiliximab-treated group in comparison with the ATG-treated group. There was no statistical significance regarding the incidence of the heart dysfunction after transplantation between the two groups (6.16% vs. 6.90%, P = 0.502).

CONCLUSIONThe immuno-induction therapy with the basiliximab in kidney transplant recipients is efficient and safe with less complication compared with the ATG.

Adult ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Antilymphocyte Serum ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Cytomegalovirus Infections ; epidemiology ; Female ; Graft Rejection ; epidemiology ; Graft Survival ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; therapeutic use ; Kidney Transplantation ; adverse effects ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Retrospective Studies

BACKGROUNDMalignant tumor is the most common complication occurred in transplant recipients. It is widely recognized that immunosuppressive treatments increase the risk of cancer in transplant recipients. The efficacy and safety of rapamycin (RPM) in combination with low-dose calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) in treating 15 renal allograft recipients which developed urothelial carcinoma were observed.

METHODSImmunosuppressive regimen in all recipients was altered with rapamycin to replace mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) or azathioprine (Aza). The initial loading dosage was 2 mg/d, and the next dosage was 1 mg/d. The dosage of rapamycin was carefully adjusted according to the blood drug level and concentration of the drug was maintained at 4 - 6 microg/L. In all the 15 patients, the calcineurin inhibitor was reduced down to one third of the original dosage after the rapamycin blood concentration became stable. Surgical treatment and intravesical instillation chemotherapy were carried out in all patients. Recurrence of the tumor was monitored throughout the study. Post-transplant renal function and side effects were also closely monitored.

RESULTSAmong the 15 patients, 9 had no tumor recurrence in 2 years, 2 had tumor recurrences twice, and 4 had once. There was no acute rejection observed during RPM treatment. Post-transplant renal function in 11 patients was improved, with a decreased creatinine level. Hyperlipoidemia and thrombocytopenia were the most frequent adverse events which responded well to corresponding treatments.

CONCLUSIONAmong the renal allograft recipients with urothelial carcinoma, combination of rapamycin and low dose calcineurin inhibitor treatment is effective and safe.

Adult ; Azathioprine ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; therapeutic use ; Kidney Transplantation ; adverse effects ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mycophenolic Acid ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Sirolimus ; therapeutic use ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Urothelium ; pathology

BACKGROUNDLong-term use of steroid with large dosage might cause many adverse effects in kidney transplant patients; reducing steroid dosage to a low level for maintenance is helpful in avoiding the side-effects, but meanwhile, acute rejection may rise to be a main concern. The present research monitored the immune function changes and the incidence of acute rejection and infection after rapid steroid reduction to investigate the safety of this strategy.

METHODSA prospective trial was conducted, using tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil as the basic immunosuppressive regimen, in addition to antibody induction with basiliximab. Corticosteroid dosage was rapidly reduced to 10 mg/d seven days post-transplantation in the experimental group, and the standard corticosteroid therapy was employed in the control group. Patient immunity was monitored by the Immune Cell Function Assay pre- and two weeks post-transplantation. The incidence of acute rejection and infection were compared between the experimental and control group.

RESULTSComparison of intracellular adenosine triphosphate (iATP) values detected two weeks post-transplantation for the control group ((324 ± 45) ng/ml) and the experimental group ((345 ± 91) ng/ml) did not reveal a significant difference (P > 0.05). The incidence of acute rejection was analogous between groups (P > 0.05), while an increased incidence of infection was observed in the control group (53% (n = 16)) versus the experimental group (22% (n = 6), P < 0.05). Overall, recipients in the control group had longer and more recurrent infections than those in the experimental group (P < 0.05). Patients in the control group had a lower immune response ((235 ± 35) ng/ml) than those in the experimental group ((286 ± 16) ng/ml) when infection occurred (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONRapid reduction of steroid early after kidney transplantation does not lead to a significant rise in patient immunity. It is a safe and effective therapy for kidney transplant patients.

Adolescent ; Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; metabolism ; Adult ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; therapeutic use ; Kidney Transplantation ; immunology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; therapeutic use ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDThe administration of immunosuppressive agents is always an important factor affecting the long-term survival of organ transplantation recipients. The best therapeutic regimen which either decreases the side effects of immune inhibitors or enhances the immunosuppressive efficacy is the goal of transplantation surgeons continue to search. This study investigated the effects of Bailing (Cordyceps sinensis) capsules on renal function and other systems of the body after renal transplantation.

METHODSClinical data of 80 renal transplant recipients who were administered Bailing capsules and 100 renal transplant recipients in the control group were retrospectively analyzed to compare the incidences of graft rejection and infection after transplantation. The results of routine blood and urine tests, liver and kidney functions, uric acid (UA), 24-hour urine protein (24 h-Upro), as well as 1- and 5-year patient renal allograft survival rates were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSThe follow-up was 3 - 5 years. The two groups were not shown to have statistically significant differences in age, gender, cold ischemia time, donor-recipient human leukocyte antigen typing, panel reactive antibodies, lymphocytotoxicity tests, and the application of immunosuppressive agents at the baseline. The two groups were also not significantly different in the incidence of acute injection after transplantation, recovery of renal function, and blood glucose level. The Bailing group was significantly lower than the control in the incidence of infection, serum aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase, total bilirubin, UA, and 24-hour Upro, but significantly higher than the control group in peripheral red blood cell count and white blood cell count (P < 0.05). One-year and 5-year patient survival rates were 98.7% and 98.0%, respectively in the Bailing group, 95.0% and 93.0%, respectively, in the control group. One-year and 5-year renal allograft survival rates were 97.5% and 95.0%, respectively, in the Bailing group, and 92.5% and 84.0%, respectively, in the control group. The comparison of patient and renal allograft survival rates between the two groups using Kaplan-Meier survival curves and log-rank test showed that only the differences in renal allograft survival rates were statistically significant (Log-rank: 5 years: patient survival P = 0.420; renal allograft survival P = 0.049).

CONCLUSIONBailing capsules were effective in preventing allograft rejection, protecting liver and kidney functions, stimulating hematopoiesis, and reducing the incidence of infection and thus are ideal immunoregulators.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Capsules ; therapeutic use ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; therapeutic use ; Kidney ; drug effects ; Kidney Transplantation ; methods ; Liver ; drug effects ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the outcomes of live donor renal transplantation.

METHODSThe clinical data of 153 patients who had undergone live donor kidney transplantation in our center from March 1999 to July 2008 were collected and retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTSDelayed graft function (DGF) occurred in 8 patients, among whom 5 cases of DGF were successfully reversed by conservative treatment, 2 recipients died of refractory rejection and cardiac infraction, and 1 graft was resected because of severe infection. Eight recipients died of infection, cardiovascular events, and cerebral events soon after transplantation. All the 153 patients were followed up, and the 6-month, 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year survival number (and rates) were 139 (96.7% and 98.7%), 114 (94.7% and 98.7%), 62 (90.1% and 96.7%), and 36 (83.5% and 94.7%), respectively.

CONCLUSIONLive donor kidney transplantation plays an important role in the management of end stage renal disease, with satisfactory outcomes.

Adult ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Kidney Transplantation ; Living Donors ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDThe number of highly sensitized patients is rising, and sensitization can lead to renal transplant failure. The present study aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of renal transplantation following induction therapy with rituximab in highly sensitized kidney transplant recipients.

METHODSSeven highly sensitized kidney transplant recipients who underwent rituximab therapy from December 2008 to December 2009 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 3 men and 4 women, with a mean age of 38.5 years (range, 21-47 years). The duration of hemodialysis was 3-12 months, with a mean duration of 11 months. For 4 patients, this was the second transplant; the previous graft survival time was 2-11 years, with a mean survival time of 5.8 years. All the female recipients had history of multiple pregnancies, and all patients had previously received blood transfusions. All donors were men, with a mean age of 32.5 years (range, 25-37 years). In 2 of the 7 patients, both class I and class II of panel reactive antibody were high; the remaining 5 patients showed either high in class I or in class II of panel reactive antibody. The mean panel reactive antibody value was 31% for class I and 51% for class II respectively. The donors and the recipients had the same blood type, with low lymphocyte cytotoxicity ranging from 2% to 5%. The human leukocyte antigen (HLA) mismatch numbers were from 2 to 4. All patients received tacrolimus (0.1 mg × kg(-1) × d(-1)) and mycophenolate mofetil (750 mg twice per day) orally 3 days prior to surgery. All patients received a single dose of 600 mg rituximab (375 mg/m(2)) infusion on the day before surgery and polyclonal antibody (antithymocyte globulin) on the day of surgery. Postoperative creatinine, creatinine clearance rate, and occurrence of rejection by pathological biopsy confirmation were monitored.

RESULTSNo patient had delayed graft function after surgery. Two patients had acute rejection, one on day 7 and the other on day 13 post-surgery. Diagnosis of acute rejections was based on the clinical assessments and pathological biopsy results. According to the Banff 07 classification of renal allograft pathology, one of the patients was Ia and the other was IIa; the C4d staining was negative in both patients. One patient received methylprednisolone plus cyclophosphamide and the other received antithymocyte globulin (ATG) therapy, both leading to successful reversion of the acute rejection. All patients were discharged postoperatively and all had normal renal function during the 7th to 12th month follow-up. Pulmonary infection occurred in 1 patient 4 months after surgery and was successfully cured.

CONCLUSIONRituximab induction therapy can reduce the occurrence of postoperative humoral rejection in highly sensitized renal transplant recipients, suggesting that kidney transplantation may be safe and effective for these patients.

Adult ; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Graft Survival ; drug effects ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; therapeutic use ; Kidney Transplantation ; adverse effects ; immunology ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Rituximab ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDThe number of highly sensitized patients is rising, and sensitization can lead to renal transplant failure. The present study aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of protein A immunoadsorption combined with rituximab (RTX) in highly sensitized recipients of kidney transplants.

METHODSSeven highly sensitized recipients of living-related renal transplants (4 men and 3 women, mean aged 42.5 years old (range 33 - 51)) were pretreated with this combination. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) mismatch number was 2 - 5. Panel reactive antibody (PRA) of class I was high in 2 cases and that of class II was high in 1 case. All patients were pretreated with immunoadsorption 2 - 10 times. Immunoglobulin and PRA changes were monitored before and after absorption. The operation was conducted when PRA or immunoglobulin levels were at or below normal levels. Immunosuppressive drugs were provided 3 - 5 days before the operation, and one dose of RTX (375 mg/m(2)) was infused with polyclonal antibody on the day of operation. Postoperative creatinine (Cr), creatinine clearance rate (Ccr), PRA ratio, and immunoglobulin changes were monitored.

RESULTSAll 7 patients had good recovery without delayed graft function. Acute rejection occurred in 3 cases at postoperative days 8, 10, and 14, respectively. The Banff 07 biopsy grades were Ia in 1 case and IIa C4d0 in 2 cases. Successful reversion was achieved after giving methylprednisolone or antithymocyte immunoglobulin + cyclophosphamide. All patients were discharged with normal renal function, mean class I PRA was 14% and mean class II PRA was 35%. PRA was completely negative in 3 cases.

CONCLUSIONProtein A immunoadsorption combined with RTX can safely reduce the occurrence of humoral rejection in highly sensitized renal transplant recipients.

Adult ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; therapeutic use ; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; HLA Antigens ; immunology ; Humans ; Immunosorbent Techniques ; Isoantibodies ; blood ; Kidney Transplantation ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Rituximab ; Staphylococcal Protein A ; immunology