Faculty Bibliography

Cyclosporine G (CsG) like cyclosporine A (CsA) is a cyclic endecapeptide where the alpha-amino butyric acid residue in position 2 is replaced by norvaline. We studied the effects of both drugs on renal function in a nontransplant rat model to avoid the additional variable of rejection. Age- and weight-matched pairs of male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated subcutaneously for 21 days with a daily dose of 25 mg/kg bw of either powdered CsA or CsG dissolved in 1 ml of olive oil. A control group (C) received olive oil only. Blood pressure (BP) and creatinine (Cr) were measured on days 0, 7, 14, and 21. On day 22, animals were weighed, anesthetized, and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and renal plasma flow (RPF) were measured using c14 inulin and 3H paraAminohippuric acid, respectively. Renal plasma flow and glomerular filtration rate were unaltered in CsG-treated animals compared to controls but significantly reduced in CsA-treated animals. Histologically, vacuolization and microcalcification were seen in significantly greater frequency among the CsA-treated animals. CsG with lesser nephrotoxic potential may prove to be of use in maintenance of therapy of transplants as well as selected autoimmune disorders.

Cyclosporine has profound immunosuppressive properties. We reviewed our experience of community acquired infections in 62 children who received the drug from 2 to 36 months. 36 children received the drug for a renal transplant for a mean of 18 months. There were 3 minor and one major episode of infection in this group. The frequency of both minor and major infections in cyclosporine recipients was significantly lower when compared with a group of renal recipients treated with azathioprine. 26 children received cyclosporine for 2 months for resistant nephrotic syndrome. This group had one major and one minor episode of infection. Despite the relative safety of cyclosporine recipients from infectious complications, a more prolonged follow up is necessary.