Related Experiment Videos
Impaired liver function in stable renal allograft recipients
F J Frey1, H J Schaad, E L Renner
1Medizinische Poliklinik, University of Berne, Switzerland.
Hepatology (Baltimore, Md.)
|April 1, 1989
Summary
Stable kidney transplant recipients show impaired liver function, affecting drug metabolism and galactose clearance. This liver dysfunction persists one year post-transplant, even without overt liver disease.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Hepatology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Hepatic failure is a significant cause of mortality in renal allograft recipients.
- Understanding liver function post-transplant is crucial for patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the magnitude and natural history of liver functional derangement in stable kidney transplant patients.
- To evaluate the impact of transplantation on xenobiotic metabolism.
Main Methods:
- Kinetics of xenobiotics metabolized by cytosolic (galactose) and microsomal (prednisolone, cyclosporine A) enzymes were measured.
- 28 stable kidney transplant recipients were studied at 1 month and 1 year post-transplant.
- Comparisons were made with healthy control subjects.
Main Results:
- Kidney transplant recipients exhibited decreased galactose elimination capacity at 1 month and 1 year post-transplant compared to controls.
- Total body clearance of prednisolone was reduced at 1 month and further decreased by 1 year.
- Cyclosporine A clearance significantly declined during the first year post-transplantation.
Conclusions:
- A substantial proportion of stable renal transplant recipients have reduced liver function.
- This impairment involves both cytosolic and microsomal enzyme activity.
- Decreased liver function occurs despite the absence of clinical or laboratory evidence of significant liver disease.