Cardiac signalling molecules and plasma biomarkers after cardiac transplantation: Impact of tacrolimus versus cyclosporine.
White M, Cantin B, et al.Journal of Heart & Lung Transplantation 2013; 32(12): 1222-1232
Aims
To investigate cardiac proinflammatory, mitogenic and apoptoic signalling events, and plasma biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress in de novo adult cardiac transplant patients receiving tacrolimus (TAC) or cyclosporine A (CsA).
Interventions
Patients were administered with TAC or CsA and mycophenolate mofetil and (methyl) prednisolone.
Participants
100 de novo cardiac transplant recipients.
Outcomes
The outcomes for this study included graft viability and acute rejections, plasma levels of inflammation and fibrogenesis, and system markers of oxidative stress.
Follow-up
1 year
CET Conclusions
This manuscript reports an analysis of various inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers in cardiac transplant recipients in an open-label randomised controlled trial of tacrolimus versus cyclosporine. Perhaps unsurprising, very little difference is seen in biomarker profiles between Tac and CsA treated recipients, but the study does give some insight into the temporal changes in inflammatory and mitogenic markers in the year following transplantation. Where it lacks slightly is that there is no attempt to relate changes in these signalling pathways and biomarkers to structural changes in the transplanted heart, in particular in the presence and severity of graft vessel disease.
Data analysis
Per protocol analysis
Trial registration
Not reported