A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL OF PENTOXIFYLLINE FOR THE PREVENTION OFDELAYED GRAFT FUNCTION IN CADAVERIC KIDNEY GRAFT

Ischemia/reperfusion has been implicated in the mechanism of delayed g raft function (DGF). Pentoxifylline (PTX) has been shown to suppress T NF alpha (released by activated macrophages, inhibiting subsequent sup eroxide anion release from neutrophil activation. In addition, PTX dec reases cyclosporine (CsA) induced renal endothelial release and vasoco nstriction. Thus, administration of PTX to renal transplant patients c ould be an excellent approach to prevent DGF and vascular toxicity of CsA in the early graft period. One hundred-and-forty consecutive patie nts receiving cadaveric kidney transplantation were registered in a ra ndomized double-blind study comparing PTX vs. a placebo. PTX had no de monstrable effect on the incidence of DGF, on the rapidity of the rena l function recovery, and on the ability to use higher doses of CsA in the first month post-graft.