CYCLOSPORINE IN THE TREATMENT OF NEPHROTI C SYNDROME IN PRIMARY GLOMERULONEPHRITIS - APPLICATION

Ciclosporin (CsA) is a valuable treatment not only in organ transplant ation but also in autoimmune diseases. We report the results of a clin ical study using CsA in nephrotic syndrome due to focal segmental glom erulosclerosis (FSGS) and membranous glomerulonephritis (MGN). In 15 p atients with FSGS proteinuria decreased from 11,9 g/l to 2,4 g/l after 12 months. In 9 patients with MGN proteinuria decreased from 7,4 g/l to 3,5 g/l after 12 months. Mean serum-creatinine increased from 1,1 m g/dl to 1,4 mg/dl after 12 months. Rebiopsies showed no evidence for n ephrotoxicity associated with CsA-treatment. CsA-treatment in nephroti c syndrome results in a marked decrease of proteinuria, but its exact value in the treatment of glomerulonephritis has to be further clarifi ed. Application of CsA requires monitoring of renal function, lipids a nd blood pressure. Long-term treatment of CsA requires additional morp hological assessment.