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

Abstract

Background: The serum lipid profile of renal transplant recipients from the Indian subcontinent is not available. Cyclosporin A causes dyslipidaemia, a major risk factor for coronary artery disease which is a significant cause of mortality in these patients. We compared the effect of two dosage schedules of cyclosporin A on the lipid profile of transplant recipients.

Methods: Two hundred and eight renal allograft recipients were randomized to receive either a high or a low dose of cyclosporin A for 12 months. Their cholesterol and triglyceride levels were measured at monthly intervals for 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. ANOVA for repeated measures was carried out.

Result: Patients receiving a higher dose of cyclosporin A had higher cholesterol and triglyceride levels compared to those receiving the lower dose schedule. The multivariate analysis showed that a low dose of cyclosporin A was significantly associated with reduced cholesterol (p < 0.07) and triglyceride levels (p < 0.04) after controlling the effect of other covariates. ANOVA for repeated measures showed that cholesterol levels were significantly lower in the low-dose cyclosporin A group (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Low dose cyclosporin A reduces the risk of dyslipidaemia in Indian renal transplant recipients.