Effects of Cyclosporin A and Low Dosages of Steroid on Posttransplantation Diabetes in Kidney Transplant Recipients

Objective To investigate the adverse effects of cyclosporin A (CsA) on pancreatic beta-cell function in kidney transplant recipients. Research Design and Methods The study consisted of 73 patients without a history of diabetes mellitus who had undergone kidney transplantation in our clinic. Results We experienced a higher incidence of posttransplantation diabetes mellitus (PTDM) in patients receiving CsA and low dosages of methylprednisolone (6/20, 30%, P 1 yr, a significant improvement of glucose intolerance was observed in association with a significantly higher insulin response to oral glucose load; however, their glycemic profile still showed a significantly higher plasma glucose concentration and a prolonged continuous elevation without initial peak of the insulin-response curve in contrast to the normal pattern found in nondiabetic subjects in the CsA-treated group. Conclusions This study suggests that CsA in combination with low dosages of steroid may have adverse effects on glucose metabolism, which may lead to effects similar to those in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.