[Long-term follow up of renal function after orthotopic liver transplantation]. / Dlouhodobé sledování funkce ledvin po ortotopické transplantaci jater.

BACKGROUND: Renal dysfunction in patients after the orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is frequent and it significantly contributes to the morbidity and mortality. The aim of our work was to assess the level of glomerular function (GFR) within the first to fifth year after OLT. METHODS AND RESULTS: Serum creatinine concentration (Skr), creatinine clearance (Ckr) and predicted value of creatinine clearance using the Cockcrofta a Gaulta formula (CG) were assessed in 75 patients. Normal values of the given parameters (Skr <110 umol/l, Ckr > or = 1.3 ml/s/1.73 m2) were found only in 16% of all patients. Significant decrease of GFR (Ckr < 0.5 ml/s/1.73 m2) was found in 24% of cases, acute renal failure, which required transitory haemodialysis developed in 4% of patients. In 60% of patients various degree of GFR decrease was found without the necessity of haemodialysis. CONCLUSIONS: Level of renal functions was not significantly related to the blood pressure or serum lipids concentration. An important factor appeared to be the level of renal function before OLT. Because the level of renal function after OLT can significantly influence the post transplantation development, regular follow up of GFR is recommended.

[Tubular function after orthotopic liver transplantation]. / Tubulární funkce u jedincu po ortotopické transplantaci jater.

Renal function after orthotopic liver transplantation (OTL) is very frequently reduced and its level exerts a significant effect on the morbidity and mortality of these subjects. One of the main factors with a negative impact on renal function after OTL is the nephrotoxic action of cyclosporin A (CsA). Renal function after OTL is usually evaluated on the basis of glomerular filtration (GF). As chronic nephrotoxicity of CsA is manifested in the histological picture by significant tubulointerstitial affection, in 75 subjects after OTL the spontaneous concentrating and acidifying capacity of the kidneys was investigated. The value of urine osmolality (UOSM) assessed after noctunal withdrawal of fluids was in 72.7% lower than in healthy subjects and did not reach 600 mOsm/kg H2O, although the serum creatinine concentration (Scr) was still within the normal range. The pH value of the morning urine did not reach in 38.2% the required value of 6.0 although Scr was within the normal range. Between values of UOSM after nocturnal liquid withdrawal and GF assessed on the basis of inulin clearance (Cin) was a significant direct relationship, however the scatter of values was considerable (r = 0.226, p < 0.05). Between pH values of the morning urine and Cin no correlation was found. The assembled results support the idea that the concentrating activity of the kidneys in subjects after OTL treated with CsA is reduced. This reduced concentrating capacity is already apparent on the basis of UOSM of morning urine after nocturnal fluid withdrawal. Although this defect is also frequent in subjects with a normal Scr value, the authors assume that the use of this simple evaluation of the concentrating capacity (it does not burden the patient nor the attending staff) could be useful in the early diagnosis of tubulointerstitial affection.

[Nitric oxide in patients after cadaveric kidney transplantation]. / Oxid dusnatý u nemocných po transplantaci kadaverózní ledviny.

BACKGROUND: The role of nitric oxide (NO) after cadaveric renal graft transplantation has not been yet fully clarified. The aim of our study was to examine NO production into the urine of patients following cadaveric renal graft transplantation with a normal course and complications (acute rejection and cyclosporin toxicity). METHODS AND RESULTS: Production of stabile NO metabolites (NO2 and NO3) into urine (U-NOx) was examined in recipients of cadaveric renal transplantation. Only patients with standard triple immunosuppressive therapy (cyclosporin, azathioprine, prednisone) were include into the study. Patients receiving other immunosuppressive agents or drugs affecting NO formation (nitrates, ACE inhibitors) were excluded from the study, as were those with infectious or other serious post-transplant complications. Overall, we examined 33 patients (21 men and 12 women), with acute rejection and cyclosporin-induced toxicity in ten each, and a normal course with no complications in 13. The mean age of the patients was 50.96_11.13 years. U-NOx was examined by biochemistry using Griesse reaction every day after transplantation both in a morning urine sample and in a sample from 24-hour collection over the preceding day and calculated to 1 mmol/l of urinary creatinine (U-Cr). The levels of U-NOx/U-Cr in patients with acute rejection over the past 2 days before its development were lower compared with those in patients with a normal course (p_0.05). No difference was found between the groups of patients with cyclosporin-induced toxicity and a normal course. The levels of U-NOx were inversely correlated (p_0.01) to the levels of serum creatinine (S-Cr), but did not correlate with the blood levels of cyclosporin A. CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrated a decrease in urinary U-NOx production within the past 2 days before renal transplant rejection. The levels of U-NOx in patients with cyclosporin-induced toxicity remain unaltered. U-NOx/U-Cr could possibly become a non-invasive marker of rejection.