LACK OF EFFECT OF A SINGLE ORAL DOSE OF CYCLOSPORINE ON SYSTEMIC BLOOD-PRESSURE AND ON FOREARM BLOOD-FLOW AND VASCULAR-RESISTANCE IN HUMANS

The acute hemodynamic effect of cyclosporine in man is controversial. A randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study was u ndertaken to evaluate the effect of a single oral dose of cyclosporine (20 mg/kg body weight) on mean blood pressure (MBP), heart rate (HR), forearm blood flow (FBF), and vascular resistance (FVR) in 16 healthy adult subjects. Subjects were studied twice, with an intervening peri od of 2 weeks, before and after the administration of either cyclospor ine or the vehicle olive oil. Blood pressure was measured on brachial and digital arteries. After 30 min of rest, basal measurements were ob tained and individuals were randomly assigned to receive either cyclos porine or the vehicle, and the same measurements were repeated 2 h lat er, Mean whole blood levels of cyclosporine were 1542 +/- 387 ng/mL (r ange 1000 to 2550) 2 h after the administration of a single oral dose of cyclosporine. Cyclosporine did not cause any significant change in the hemodynamic parameters when compared with vehicle. Pre- and post-c yclosporine data were as follows (means a SD): MBP (determined by Fina pres ore the digital artery), 92 +/- 10 v 95 +/- 11 mm Hg; HR, 66 +/- 10 v 68 +/- 11 beats/min; FBF, 3.9 +/- 1.3 v 3.8 +/- 1.8 mL/100 mL/min ; and FVR, 28 +/- 9 v 33 +/- 18 units, respectively. For the vehicle t he results were: MBP, 94 +/- 9 v 94 +/- 9; HR, 67 +/- 9 v 67 +/- 11; F BF, 3.3 +/- 1.6 v 3.2 +/- 2.0; FVR, 35 +/- 14 v 37 +/- 15, respectivel y. These figures did not differ from those obtained with the auscultat ory method applied to the brachial artery among 10 selected subjects s tudied with Finapres. In conclusion, we found no evidence that at supr atherapeutic doses cyclosporine causes acute increase in blood pressur e or peripheral vasoconstriction in humans. (C) 1998 American Journal of Hypertension, Ltd.