Bengt Gustafsson

Improved renal function after early conversion from a calcineurin inhibitor to everolimus: a randomized trial in kidney transplantation.

In an open‐label, multicenter trial, de novo kidney transplant recipients at low to medium immunological risk were randomized at week 7 posttransplant to remain on CsA (n = 100, controls) or convert to everolimus (n = 102), both with enteric‐coated mycophenolate sodium and corticosteroids. The primary endpoint, change in measured GFR (mGFR) from week 7 to month 12, was significantly greater with everolimus than controls: 4.9 (11.8) mL/min versus 0.0 (12.9) mL/min (p = 0.012; analysis of covariance [ANCOVA]). Per protocol analysis demonstrated a more marked difference: an increase of 8.7 (11.2) mL/min with everolimus versus a decrease of 0.4 (12.0) mL/min in controls (p < 0.001; ANCOVA). There were no differences in graft or patient survival. The 12‐month incidence of biopsy‐proven acute rejection (BPAR) was 27.5% (n = 28) with everolimus and 11.0% (n = 11) in controls (p = 0.004). All but two episodes of BPAR in each group were mild. Adverse events occurred in 95.1% of everolimus patients and 90.0% controls (p = 0.19), with serious adverse events in 53.9% and 38.0%, respectively (p = 0.025). Discontinuation because of adverse events was more frequent with everolimus (25.5%) than controls (3.0%; p = 0.030). In conclusion, conversion from CsA to everolimus at week 7 after kidney transplantation was associated with a greater improvement in mGFR at month 12 versus CNI‐treated controls but discontinuations and BPAR were more frequent.

Preconditioning protects against ischemia/reperfusion injury of the liver

Ischemic preconditioning (IPC) of an organ may induce protection against the injury caused by longer duration of ischemia and subsequent reperfusion. In a standardized model of such injury in the rat liver, we used the following protocol to investigate whether adenosine played a role in IPC by preventing its enzymatic degradation by dipyridamole pretreatment according to the following protocol: group 1, non-ischemic control rats; group 2, ischemic control rats subjected to 60 minutes of ischemia by clamping of the common hepatic artery followed by 60 minutes of reperfusion; group 3, IPC with 10 minutes of ischemia followed by 15 minutes of reperfusion, prior to the ischemia/reperfusion period as in group 2; group 4, pharmacologic preconditioning with administration of dipyridamole prior to the ischemia/reperfusion period as in group 2. Peripheral liver blood flow was significantly reduced during clamping (groups 2 to 4). After unclamping, blood flow was still reduced in the ischemic rats (group 2) but had returned to preclamp values in the animals that had been subjected to ischemic (group 3) or pharmacologic (group 4) preconditioning. Liver cell injury was significantly increased in the ischemia group (group 2) only. In our experimental model of ischemia/reperfusion injury in the rat liver, we found an equally beneficial effect with ischemic and pharmacologic preconditioning. Adenosine appears to be a crucial factor in IPC.Ischemic preconditioning (IPC) of an organ may induce protection against the injury caused by longer duration of ischemia and subsequent reperfusion. In a standardized model of such injury in the rat liver, we used the following protocol to investigate whether adenosine played a role in IPC by preventing its enzymatic degradation by dipyridamole pretreatment according to the following protocol: group 1, non-ischemic control rats; group 2, ischemic control rats subjected to 60 minutes of ischemia by clamping of the common hepatic artery followed by 60 minutes of reperfusion; group 3, IPC with 10 minutes of ischemia followed by 15 minutes of reperfusion, prior to the ischemia/reperfusion period as in group 2; group 4, pharmacologic preconditioning with administration of dipyridamole prior to the ischemia/reperfusion period as in group 2. Peripheral liver blood flow was significantly reduced during clamping (groups 2 to 4). After unclamping, blood flow was still reduced in the ischemic rats (group 2) but had returned to preclamp values in the animals that had been subjected to ischemic (group 3) or pharmacologic (group 4) preconditioning. Liver cell injury was significantly increased in the ischemia group (group 2) only. In our experimental model of ischemia/reperfusion injury in the rat liver, we found an equally beneficial effect with ischemic and pharmacologic preconditioning. Adenosine appears to be a crucial factor in IPC.

Liver transplantation for polycystic liver disease-indications and outcome

OLYCYSTIC liver disease (PLD), often associated with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, may lead to considerable hepatomegaly with discomfort, pain, anorexia, dyspnea, and a severely reduced quality of life. Liver function per se is usually normal. Different therapeutic procedures from percutaneous drainage and sclerosing treatment to fenestration and liver resection may alleviate symptoms but with substantial mortality and morbidity in view of the only short-term palliation. 1,2 Liver transplantation (LT) usually leads to excellent symptomatic relief but is a high-risk procedure. 1–7 The aim of the present study was to review all the patients with PLD who have undergone LT on our unit. PATIENTS AND METHODS

Renal function three years after early conversion from a calcineurin inhibitor to everolimus: results from a randomized trial in kidney transplantation

In a 36‐month, open‐label, multicenter trial, 202 kidney transplant recipients were randomized at week 7 post‐transplant to convert to everolimus or remain on cyclosporine: 182 were analyzed to month 36 (92 everolimus, 90 controls). Mean (SD) change in measured GFR (mGFR) from randomization to month 36 was 1.3 (14.0) ml/min with everolimus versus −1.7 (15.4) ml/min in controls (P = 0.210). In patients who remained on treatment, mean mGFR improved from randomization to month 36 by 7.9 (11.5) ml/min with everolimus (n = 37) but decreased by 1.4 (14.7) ml/min in controls (n = 62) (P = 0.001). During months 12–36, death‐censored graft survival was 100%, patient survival was 98.9% and 96.7% in the everolimus and control groups, respectively, and 13.0% and 11.1% of everolimus and control patients, respectively, experienced mild biopsy‐proven acute rejection (BPAR). Protocol biopsies in a limited number of on‐treatment patients showed similar interstitial fibrosis progression. Donor‐specific antibodies were present at month 36 in 6.3% (2/32) and 18.0% (9/50) of on‐treatment everolimus and control patients with available data (P = 0.281). During months 12‐36, adverse events were comparable, but discontinuation was more frequent with everolimus (33.7% vs. 10.0%). Conversion from cyclosporine to everolimus at 7 weeks post‐transplant was associated with a significant benefit in renal function at 3 years when everolimus was continued.

Conversion From Calcineurin Inhibitor to Either Mycophenolate Mofetil or Sirolimus Improves Renal Function in Liver Transplant Recipients With Chronic Kidney Disease : Results of a Prospective Randomized Trial

BACKGROUND Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has emerged as a significant cause of morbidity and a risk factor for mortality after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). The use of calcineurin inhibitor (CNI)-based immunosuppression is an important etiologic factor for developing CKD. CNI discontinuation or minimization protocols with replacement of the CNI with non-nephrotoxic drugs, such as mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) or sirolimus (SRL), may have the potential to preserve or recover renal function. PATIENTS AND METHODS In this prospective, randomized, single-center study with CNI discontinuation, OLT recipients with CKD (measured glomerular filtration rate [GFRm] 15-45 mL/min/1.73 m(2)) were randomized to either SRL or MMF-based immunosuppression. The main objective was to study the effect of CNI discontinuation on renal function. Secondary aims were to assess the frequency of biopsy-proven acute rejection episodes (BPAR) and adverse events (AE). Renal function was followed with GFRm using 51-Chromium EDTA clearance at baseline, 3 months, and 1 year. Patients were stratified according to baseline GFRm > versus <30 mL/min/1.73 m(2). The 25 patients were enrolled for MMF (n = 13) or SRL (n = 12). The median age at inclusion was 59 years (range, 25-66) and the median number of years after OLT was 4.4 (range, 1-13). Twenty-two patients were followed up for a year; MMF (n = 12) and SRL (n = 10). RESULTS Mean GFRm for the whole cohort (n = 25) was 31+/-8 mL/min/1.73 m(2) at baseline. After 3 months the GFRm (n = 23) increased to 40+/-10 mL/min/1.73 m(2) (P = .0001) and at 1 year 42 +/- 11 mL/min/1.73 m(2) (n = 22). There was not significant difference between the MMF and the SRL study arms. The cohort (n = 8) with baseline GFRm <30 mL showed a 63% (P = .003) increased filtration after 1 year. There was no significant difference in the frequency or severity of AE between the study arms with the exception of oral ulcerations and persistent hypertriglyceridemia in the SRL group. Two deaths occurred, 1 in each study arm, both probably unrelated to the change in immunosuppression. There were no BPAR episodes. CONCLUSION CNI discontinuation and replacement with either MMF or SRL resulted in a significant improvement in renal function even in those patients with severe CKD. The protocol was effective with no acute rejection episodes. The SRL arm showed a higher frequency of oral apthous ulcerations and hypertriglyceridemia. Future studies addressing long-term renal function after CNI discontinuation are needed.

The liver protective effect of ischemic preconditioning may be mediated by adenosine

Abstract We investigated the involvement of adenosine in ischemic preconditioning (IPC) by the unspecific antagonist, 8‐phenyltheophylline (8‐PT). Anesthetized Wistar rats were treated as follows: 1. nonischemic controls, 2. ischemic controls: 60 min of clamping of the common hepatic artery followed by 60 min reperfusion, 3. IPC: 10 min ischemia followed by 15 min reperfusion, prior to the identical ischemia‐reperfusion (IR) period as in group 2, 4. 8‐PT + IPC: 8‐PT 10 mg/kg i. v. was given 10 min prior to the identical procedure as in group 3. The peripheral liver blood flow was monitored by laser‐Doppler flowmetry. Blood alanine aminotransferase (ALT) was analyzed once every 60 min. IPC significantly reduced impairment of liver blood flow, as well as ALT increase during reperfusion. This effect was abolished by pretreatment with 8‐PT. Adenosine appears to be a crucial effector in IPC. Clinical studies need to be undertaken to explore a possible effect of IPC in liver transplantation.

Clostripain, the Missing Link in the Enzyme Blend for Efficient Human Islet Isolation

Background Effective digestive enzymes are crucial for successful islet isolation. Supplemental proteases are essential as they synergize with collagenase for effective pancreas digestion. The presence of tryptic-like activity has been implicated in efficient enzyme blends and the present study aimed to evaluate if addition of clostripain, an enzyme with tryptic-like activity, could improve efficacy of the islet isolation procedure. Methods Clostripain was added to the enzyme blend just before pancreas perfusion. Islets were isolated per standard method and numerous isolation parameters, islet quality control, and the number of isolations fulfilling standard transplantation criteria were evaluated. Two control organs per clostripain organ were chosen by blindly matching against body mass index, cold ischemia time, hemoglobin A1c, donor sex, and donor age. Results There were no differences in pancreas weight, dissection time, digestion time, harvest time, percent digested pancreas, or total pellet volume before islet purification between control or clostripain pancreases. Glucose-stimulated insulin release results were similar between groups. Total isolation islet equivalents, purified tissue volume and islet equivalents/g pancreas as well as fulfillment of transplantation criteria favored clostripain processed pancreases. Conclusions The addition of clostripain to the enzyme blend soundly improved islet yields and transplantation rates. It gently aided pancreas digestion and maintained proper islet functionality. The addition of clostripain to the enzyme blend has now been implemented into standard isolation protocols at the isolation centers in Uppsala and in Oslo.

Preconditioning protects against ischemia-reperfusion injury of the liver

Ischemic preconditioning (IPC) of an organ may induce protection against the injury caused by longer duration of ischemia and subsequent reperfusion. In a standardized model of such injury in the rat liver, we used the following protocol to investigate whether adenosine played a role in IPC by preventing its enzymatic degradation by dipyridamole pretreatment according to the following protocol: group 1, nonischemic control rats; group 2, ischemic control rats subjected to 60 minutes of ischemia by clamping of the common hepatic artery followed by 60 minutes of reperfusion; group 3, IPC with 10 minutes of ischemia followed by 15 minutes of reperfusion, prior to the ischemia/reperfusion period as in group 2; group 4, pharmacologic preconditioning with administration of dipyridamole prior to the ischemia/reperfusion period as in group 2. Peripheral liver blood flow was significantly reduced during clamping (groups 2 to 4). After unclamping, blood flow was still reduced in the ischemic rats (group 2) but had returned to preclamp values in the animals that had been subjected to ischemic (group 3) or pharmacologic (group 4) preconditioning. Liver cell injury was significantly increased in the ischemia group (group 2) only. In our experimental model of ischemia/reperfusion injury in the rat liver, we found an equally beneficial effect with ischemic and pharmacologic preconditioning. Adenosine appears to be a crucial factor in IPC.

Sympathetic Nerves Do Not Affect Experimental Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury of Rat Liver

BACKGROUND We investigated whether sympathetic, noradrenergic nerves participate in experimental acute ischemia-reperfusion injury of the rat liver. METHODS Female Wistar rats (200-250 g body weight) were anesthetized with pentobarbital. After tracheotomy, we cannulated a carotid artery and jugular vein. The rats were divided in 2 groups (n = 8 per group). The control group received NaCl IV and the test group received the sympatholytic agent, guanethidine (3 mg/kg, IV). After 30 minutes of drug equilibration, laparotomy was performed to arrange the liver for temporary occlusion (by a ligature) of its vascular supply, corresponding with 70% reduction in hepatic blood flow. The rats were then allowed 60 minutes of equilibration. Thereafter, regional ischemia was induced for 30 minutes. The animals were then monitored for 2 hours of reperfusion. Blood samples for alanine aminotransferase (ALT) estimation (as a measure of injury to the parenchyma) were drawn immediately before ischemia, as well as 60 and 120 minutes after reperfusion. Readings of mean arterial pressure were taken during these times. RESULTS After 2 hours of reperfusion, there were no significant differences between the groups with regard to ALT or mean arterial pressure. CONCLUSION Sympathetic, noradrenergic nerves did not affect experimental ischemia-reperfusion injury of rat liver in the current model.

Evaluation of Perfluorohexyloctane/Polydimethylsiloxane for Pancreas Preservation for Clinical Islet Isolation and Transplantation

This study aimed to evaluate a 50:50 mix of perfluorohexyloctane/polydimethylsiloxane 5 (F6H8S5) preservation of pancreases in a clinical setting compared with standard solutions for 1) cold ischemia time (CIT) <10 h and 2) an extended CIT >20 h. Procured clinical-grade pancreases were shipped in either F6H8S5 or in standard preservation solutions, that is, University of Wisconsin (UW) or Custodiol. F6H5S5 was preoxygenated for at least 15 min. Included clinical-grade pancreases were procured in UW or Custodiol. Upon arrival at the islet isolation laboratory, the duodenum was removed followed by rough trimming while F6H8S5 was oxygenated for 15-20 min. Trimmed pancreases were immersed into oxygenated F6H8S5 and stored at 4°C overnight followed by subsequent islet isolation. Pancreas preservation using F6H8S5 proved as effective as UW and Custadiol when used within CIT up to 10 h, in terms of both isolation outcome and islet functionality. Preservation in F6H8S5 of pancreases with extended CIT gave results similar to controls with CIT <10 h for both isolated islet functionality and isolation outcome. This study of clinically obtained pancreases indicates a clear benefit of using F6H8S5 on pancreases with extended CIT as it seems to allow extended cold ischemic time without affecting islet function and islet numbers.