Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 22, 2026

Quantification of the Immunosuppressant Tacrolimus on Dried Blood Spots Using LC-MS/MS
Published on: November 8, 2015
Low-dose tacrolimus treatment in thymectomised and steroid-dependent myasthenia gravis
Naoki Kawaguchi1, Yasumasa Yoshiyama, Yuko Nemoto
1Department of Neurology, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan. kawaguchi@faculty.chiba-u.jp
Objectives:
The effects of tacrolimus, a new immunosuppressive drug, which inhibits calcineurin pathway and also might enhance corticosteroid (CS) receptor-mediated gene expressions, on clinical outcome and biochemical data were evaluated in thymectomised and steroid-dependent myasthenia gravis (MG) patients.
Patients And Methods:
We administrated low-dose tacrolimus (3 mg/day orally) to 17 steroid-dependent thymectomised MG patients. They were followed for 4 to 58 months, average 19.2 months. The MG activities of daily living (MGADL) scores and the dosage of prednisolone (PSL) were assessed at baseline and 4 months later.
Results:
The average MGADL scores improved from 6.8 to 5.0 (p < 0.01) at 4 months; to 3.5 at the last visit (p < 0.01) as well as the average dosage of PSL reducing from 31.6 to 24.1 mg/alternate day (p < 0.01) at 4 months; 14.6 mg at the last visit (p < 0.01).
Conclusions:
The additional low dose tacrolimus therapy for steroid-dependent thymectomised MG is effective in improving symptoms as well as allowing the tapering of CSs.
Related Concept Videos
Myasthenia Gravis: Overview and Treatment
These antibodies interfere with the function of the nicotinic receptors in three ways: by binding to the receptor and disrupting acetylcholine binding; by causing cross-linking of receptors which leads...
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Immunomodulatory Agents
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Glucocorticoids
Myasthenia Gravis: Diagnostic Tests
The edrophonium test is a diagnostic tool for myasthenia gravis. It involves...
Myasthenia Gravis ll: Pathophysiology
Pulmonary Tuberculosis I
Causative Organism
The primary infectious agent causing tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a slow-growing, acid-fast, aerobic rod that exhibits sensitivity to heat and ultraviolet light. Instances of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium contributing to the development of TB infection are rare.
Mode of...