The effect of cyclosporin A on plasma lipids during the first year after renal transplantation

Background, The serum lipid profile of renal transplant recipients from the Indian subcontinent is nor available, Cyclosporin A causes dyslipidaemia, a major risk factor for coronary artery disease which is a significant caus e of mortality in these partients. We compared the effect of two dosage sch edules of cyclosporin A on the lipid profile of transplant recipients, Methods. Two hundred and eight renal allograft recipients were randomized t o receive either a high or a low dose of cyclo-sporin A for 12 months. Thei r cholesterol and triglyceride levels were measured at monthly intervals fo r the first six months and at the ninth and twelfth months. The area under the curve was measured and multiple linear regression analysis was done. AN OVA for repeated measures was carried out, Result, Patients receiving a higher dose of cyclosporin A had higher choles terol and triglyceride levels compared to those receiving che lower dose sc hedule. The multivariate analysis showed that a low dose of cyclosporin A w as significantly associated with reduced cholesterol (p < 0.07) and triglyc eride levels (p < 0.04) after controlling che effect of other covariates. A NOVA for repeated measures showed that cholesterol levels were significantl y lower in che low-dose cyclosporin A group (p < 0.05), Conclusion. Low dose cyclosporin A reduces the risk of dyslipidaemia in Ind ian renal transplant recipients.