Modulation factors of oxidative status in stable renal transplantation

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) trigger a biomolecular alteration that causes functional and structural changes. In renal transplantation, there is an increase in oxidative phenomena related to endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, and atherosclerosis, the main cause of cardiovascular complications and chronic allograft failure. The present study was designed to assess the oxidative state of transplant patients with stable renal function, in order to establish differences in oxidative, biochemical, and clinical parameters between patients treated with tacrolimus versus cyclosporine. We studied 67 stable kidney transplant patients treated with calcineurin inhibitors who were not receiving cholesterol-lowering therapy, and 14 healthy subjects. Data were collected on biochemical parameters: lipid profile (apoA, apoB, total cholesterol and fractions, and triglycerides); urea; and creatinine; oxidative parameters: malondialdehyde (MDA) as a lipid peroxidation marker, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione reductase (GR), and antibodies against oxidized LDL; and clinical variables. Transplanted patients showed a higher oxidative status (MDA increase and GPx decrease) than healthy subjects. The oxidative status did not differ between the cyclosporine and tacrolimus cohorts. Some factors during the posttransplant period, such as delayed graft function, cytomegalovirus infection, and microalbuminuria, which may damage renal function, produce a decreased antioxidant capacity (lower GPx).