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Updated: Jun 21, 2026
08:38
Quantification of the Immunosuppressant Tacrolimus on Dried Blood Spots Using LC-MS/MS
Published on: November 8, 2015
Tacrolimus-induced elevation in plasma triglyceride concentrations after administration to renal transplant patients
Rita Tory1, Kristina Sachs-Barrable, Caylee-Britt Goshko
1Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Transplantation
|July 9, 2009
Summary
Tacrolimus (TAC) increases triglycerides and reduces lipoprotein lipase (LPL) in renal transplant patients. This suggests reduced LPL activity may explain TAC-induced hypertriglyceridemia, impacting cardiovascular health post-transplant.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Immunosuppression
- Lipid Metabolism
Background:
- Hyperlipidemia is common in solid organ transplant recipients, contributing to cardiovascular disease.
- Immunosuppressive therapies, including tacrolimus (TAC), influence post-transplant lipid profiles.
- Lipid abnormalities like high triglycerides and LDL-cholesterol are frequently observed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of TAC on plasma lipid profiles in renal transplant patients.
- To assess TAC's impact on key lipid metabolism regulatory proteins: cholesteryl ester transfer protein, hepatic lipase, and lipoprotein lipase (LPL).
Main Methods:
- Twenty-five renal transplant patients receiving TAC were studied.
- Plasma samples were collected at baseline and weekly for four weeks post-TAC administration.
- Effects on total cholesterol, TG, HDL-C, LDL-C, CETP, HL, and LPL concentration/activity were measured.
Main Results:
- TAC significantly increased plasma triglyceride (TG) concentrations.
- TAC significantly reduced LPL plasma concentration and activity.
- These effects were independent of lipid-lowering drug treatments.
Conclusions:
- Reduced LPL activity, potentially due to decreased LPL concentration, may explain TAC-induced hypertriglyceridemia.
- TAC administration impacts key proteins involved in lipid metabolism.
- Findings highlight a mechanism for dyslipidemia in renal transplant patients on TAC.
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