[Personal experience with high doses of 6-methylprednisolone in human renal transplantation]

Forty rejection episodes were noted in a series of 35 renal transplants. 72.5% were reversible with i.v. 1 g "boluses" of 6-methylprednisolone. Four subjects died during the post-operative period, 10 were subjected to explantation and 21 were discharged with a functioning kidney; of these, mean blood creatinine was 1.02 +/- 0.31 mg in 19. Factors other than rejection influence the results of transplantation. Gastrointestinal, metabolic and bone complications typical of protracted steroid management are examined.