The effect of nifedipine on renal function in normotensive cyclosporin-A-treated renal allograft recipients

Abstract

Intrarenal vasoconstriction is a characteristic feature of CsA nephrotoxicity. The influence of nifedipine, a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker and potent renal vasodilator, on renal haemodynamics was investigated in 11 cyclosporin A (CsA)- and 9 azathioprine (Aza)-treated normotensive long-term renal allograft recipients. Baseline Cr51-EDTA clearance and effective renal plasma flow (ERPF) were similar in both groups. Nifedipine 20 mg twice daily for 28 days significantly increased Cr51-EDTA clearance (+14.8%) in the CsA group; however, ERPF, renal vascular resistance (RVR), and filtration fraction did not change. Nifedipine did not influence renal haemodynamics in the azathioprine group. The increase in Cr51-EDTA clearance in the CsA group did not correlate with baseline renal function, CsA dose or whole blood levels, donor age, duration of graft, or renal functional reserve capacity. This study suggests that nifedipine confers a beneficial effect on renal haemodynamics in long-term CsA-treated renal allograft recipients and appears to improve renal function by a non-haemodynamic mechanism.