Is Metabolic Acidosis a Novel Risk Factor for a Long-Term Graft Survival in Patients after Kidney Transplantation?

BACKGROUND: Results of both experimental and clinical studies suggest that metabolic acidosis (MA) contributes to the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and mortality in CKD patients. It is unknown whether the same relationship exists in kidney transplantation (KTx) patients. The aim of this observational study was to examine this relationship between MA and both mortality and renal outcomes in patients after KTx. METHODS: Four hundred eighty-six (290 male; 196 female) patients aged 48 ± 12 years, at least 1 year after KTx, were analyzed. Blood HCO3- was measured, and patients were then observed over 3 years. MA was defined as the blood HCO3- concentration <22 mmol/L. The end points of survival analysis were death and initiation of dialysis therapy. In patients who did not reach the above-mentioned end points, the difference between final (after 3 years of follow-up) and initial estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated. RESULTS: MA was initially diagnosed in 57 (12%) patients after KTx. Three-year patient survival was 89.5% in the MA group and 97.4% in the non-MA group (p = 0.001). Three-year graft survival was 73.7% for patients with MA and 93.0% for patients without MA (p < 0.001). In patients with MA who did not reach study end points, blood bicarbonate concentration at baseline correlated positively with a change in eGFR (R = 0.48, p = 0.002, n = 36). Such a correlation was not found in patients without MA (n = 388). CONCLUSIONS: (1) MA significantly increases the risk of mortality in patients after KTx. (2) The intensity of MA may be associated with progression of transplanted kidney dysfunction in KTx patients.

Effect of Renal Denervation on the Plasma Adiponectin Concentration in Patients with Resistant Hypertension.

(1) Introduction: Adiponectin is synthetized by white adipose tissue and has anti-diabetic, anti-atherosclerotic, anti-thrombotic, anti-inflammatory, and cardioprotective properties. In patients with arterial hypertension, plasma concentration of adiponectin is lower than in healthy subjects. Renal denervation, i.e., percutaneous ablation of fibers from the sympathetic nervous system located in the wall of the renal arteries by radio frequency waves, is a method of resistant arterial hypertension treatment. (2) The aim of this single center, interventional, clinical study was to assess the effect of renal denervation on the plasma adiponectin concentration in patients with resistant arterial hypertension. (3) Materials and methods: 28 patients (13 women, 15 men) aged 54.4 ± 9.2 years with resistant hypertension who underwent renal denervation using Simplicity catheters (Medtronic, Inc., Northridge, CA, USA) were enrolled in the study. Plasma adiponectin concentration was determined using the Human Adiponectin ELISA Kit (Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co, Tokyo, Japan) before the renal denervation and 6 and 12 months after this procedure. (4) Results: Blood pressure (BP) values before renal denervation and 6 and 12 months after this procedure were as follows: systolic BP 190.4 ± 24.5, 160.8 ± 14.5, 155.7 ± 17.9 mmHg (p < 0.001) and diastolic BP 111.7 ± 18.9, 88.9 ± 8.3, 91.2 + 10.2 mmHg (p < 0.001), respectively. Body mass index (BMI) before renal denervation, 6 and 12 months after this procedure were 31.5 ± 4.2, 30.5 ± 4.4, 30.2 ± 4.0 kg/m2, (p = 0.057), respectively. Plasma adiponectin concentration before the renal denervation and 6 and 12 months after this procedure were 4.79 (3.95; 9.49), 7.58 (5.04; 9.51), 6.62 (4.57; 11.65) [µg/mL] (p = 0.007), respectively. (5) Conclusions: Plasma adiponectin concentration increases significantly after successful renal denervation in patients with resistant hypertension. Higher plasma adiponectin concentration may participate-beyond blood pressure reduction-in the cardiovascular benefits related to successful renal denervation; however' clinical consequences of these results need further investigations.

Lipid disorders before and after successful liver transplantation.

INTRODUCTION: Liver transplantation (LTx) is the only successful treatment for end-stage liver disease. The results of liver transplantation depend not only on graft survival but may be also affected by superimposed cardiovascular morbidities. The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the prevalence of lipid disorders as one of the important cardiovascular risk factors in patients before and after successful LTx. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred eleven patients who underwent liver transplantation because of liver cirrhosis and survived at least 2 years with functioning graft between November 2005 and May 2014 were included in this retrospective analysis. The mean age of the patients at the time of liver transplantation was 49.7±12.2 years. The prevalence of dyslipidemia was assessed before and two years after liver transplantation. This was analyzed in relation to the etiology of liver disease, including alcohol toxicity, viral or autoimmune diseases. RESULTS: The prevalence of hypertriglyceridemia before and after LTx was 13.5% and 40.5%, respectively (P<0.001). Similarly, hypercholesterolemia was noted in 17.1% and 51.4% respectively (P<0.001). The annual incidence of hypertriglyceridemia and hypercholesterolemia during the first two years after LTx was 16.2% and 20.7%, respectively. The prevalence of hypertriglyceridemia (18.5% vs 66.7%, P<0.001) and hypercholesterolemia (29.6% vs 70.0%, P=0.002) was significantly lower in patients with the autoimmune cause of liver cirrhosis in comparison to patients with the alcoholic liver disease. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of dyslipidemia is increased after liver transplantation. The prevalence of dyslipidemia may be related to the cause of liver injury before LTx.

Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Patients Before and After Successful Liver Transplantation.

BACKGROUND Liver transplantation (LTx) is useful in the treatment of end-stage liver disease. Outcomes of transplantation are dependent upon graft survival and can also be affected by superimposed cardiovascular morbidities. The present retrospective study was performed to assess the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors before and after LTx. MATERIAL AND METHODS A retrospective review of 130 patients undergoing liver transplantation between October 2005 and April 2014 was completed. The mean age of the patients was 49.3±11.9 years. The prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors was assessed before and 2 years after transplantation. The prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors was assessed using a comparison based upon the etiologies of liver disease resulting in transplantation including alcohol, viral, and autoimmune processes using a chi-square analysis. RESULTS The prevalence of diabetes mellitus before and 2 years after liver transplantation (LTx) were 18% and 48% (P<0.001). Hypertension was documented in 24% of patients at baseline and 70% after 2 years of follow-up (P<0.001). The prevalence rates of diabetes mellitus before and 2 years after LTx were 18% and 48% (P<0.001). The prevalence of hypertriglyceridemia before and after LTx was 15% and 38%, respectively (P<0.001). Hypercholesterolemia was noted in 16% and 46%, respectively (P<0.001). Thirteen percent of patients before LTx and 18% after were obese (body mass index higher than 30 kg/m²). The annual incidence of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia, and obesity during the first 2 years after LTx was 15%, 23.5%, 15%, 18.5%, and 6%, respectively. Twenty-four percent of patients before and 10% after LTx admitted to tobacco use (P<0.001). The prevalence of diabetes (38% vs 67%, P=0.02), hypertriglyceridemia (19% vs 63%, P<0.001), hypercholesterolemia (28% vs 67%, P=0.002), and obesity (9% vs 33%, P=0.02) was lower in patients with an autoimmune cause of liver cirrhosis in comparison to patients with alcoholic disease. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of hypertension and glucose and lipid metabolism abnormalities may increase in patients after liver transplantation. The prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in patients after LTx may be related to the cause of liver injury before LTx.

Chronic Kidney Disease in Patients After Liver Transplantation: A Long-Term Retrospective Analysis From 1 Transplantation Center.

OBJECTIVE: Liver transplantation (LTx) is the only effective method of treating end-stage insufficiency of the liver. Coexisting chronic kidney disease (CKD) in these patients may worsen the long-term prognosis. The aim of this retrospective, a 1-center, observational study, was to determine the prevalence and predisposing factors of CKD in patients in the long run after LTx. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Medical records were obtained, and the 130 patients after LTx (with a mean age of 49.3 ± 11.9 years) who completed the 24-month follow-up period were enrolled in the study. CKD was diagnosed in patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of less than 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 or who had proteinuria for at least 3 months. Results are presented as means with standard deviation. RESULTS: CKD was found in 17% of the patients before liver transplantation and in 32% and 39% 12 and 24 months after LTx, respectively. The eGFR values before, 12 months after, and 24 months after LTx were 98.6 ± 48.3, 79.1 ± 29.6, and 76.9 ± 21.3 mL/kg/1.73 m2, respectively. The prevalence of CKD was lower in transplant patients with an autoimmune disease (25%) compared with viral (52%) and ethanol abuse (47%) liver cirrhosis etiology (chi-square: P = .04; post hoc analyses: autoimmune vs viral; P = .01; autoimmune vs ethanol abuse; P = .07). A significant negative correlation was found between trough blood tacrolimus concentration and eGFR 12 and 24 months after LTx (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of CKD in patients after liver transplantation seems to be higher than in the general population. Patients with autoimmune etiology of the liver disease have better renal function than patients with viral or ethanol abuse liver cirrhosis etiology. Treatment with calcineurin inhibitors adversely influences renal function in patients after liver transplantations.

Metabolic acidosis in kidney transplant recipients.

Introduction Metabolic acidosis (MA) may accelerate the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and is an important risk factor for increased mortality in CKD patients. The clinical value of MA in kidney transplant (KTx) recipients has not been extensively studied so far. Objectives The aim of this clinical single­­center case­­control study was to assess the prevalence of MA in KTx recipients in comparison with CKD patients and to identify pathogenic factors for MA in KTx recipients. Patients and methods Venous blood concentrations of bicarbonate (HCO3-) and blood hemoglobin concentrations were measured in 500 KTx recipients and 500 CKD patients matched for sex, age, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). None of these patients received alkali treatment before the study. MA was diagnosed in KTx recipients with HCO3- levels lower than 22 mmol/l. Results The prevalence of MA was lower in KTx recipients than in CKD patients (12.0% vs 19.6%; P = 0.001). In both groups, the prevalence increased with progression of CKD stages (P <0.001 for trend) and was higher in patients with anemia. In a multivariable analysis, hemoglobin concentrations correlated independently with eGFR and HCO3- in KTx recipients (ß = 0.314, P <0.001 and ß = 0.274, P <0.001, respectively). Similar correlations were observed in CKD patients (ß = 0.273, P <0.001 and ß = 0.123, P = 0.006, respectively). Conclusions Our study revealed that the prevalence of MA is lower in KTx recipients than in CKD patients. Moreover, in KTx recipients, blood bicarbonate concentrations are related to kidney function and blood hemoglobin concentrations.