Changes in Insulin Sensitivity and Lipid Profile in Renal Transplant Recipients Converted from Cyclosporine or Standard Release Tacrolimus to Once-Daily Prolonged Release Tacrolimus

Abstract

Background: Tacrolimus (Tac) can cause impaired insulin release and dyslipidemia, and may affect the development of post-trans-plant diabetes mellitus. However, these effects on insulin sensitivity and lipid profile have not been compared in renal transplant recipients receiving traditional twice-daily tacrolimus (TacBID) or cyclosporine and those receiving once-daily prolonged release formulation of tacrolimus (TacOD). Methods: We conducted an observational prospective study of 15 stable non-diabetic renal transplant recipients to observe the changes in insulin sensitivity and lipid profiles for 1 year at a tertiary hospital. We evaluated the levels of hemoglobin A1c, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein, triglycerides, apolipoprotein A1, apolipoprotein B, serum creatinine, fasting plasma glucose, fasting insulin, homeostatic model assessment of  -cell (HOMA-  ) and HOMA-insulin resistance index at baseline and at 2 and 4 months. To analyze differences in parameters, we conducted a Wilcoxon rank sum test and general linear model (GLM)-repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) in both groups (cyclosporine to TacOD conversion group/TacBID to TacOD conversion group). Results: At baseline, parameters did not differ between groups. GLM-repeated measures ANOVA revealed no change in insulin sensitivity or lipid profile after conversion at baseline or at 2 and 4 months. There were no complications after conversion from standard TacBID or cyclosporine to TacOD. Conclusions: There was no change in insulin sensitivity or lipid profile in renal transplant recipients. Any conversion from TacBID to TacOD should be performed in a controlled manner under Abbreviations: SBP, systolic blood pressure; DBP, diastolic blood pressure; GFR, glomerular filtration rate; LDL-C, low density lipoprotein cholesterol; HDL-C, density lipoprotein cholesterol; HbA1c, hemoglobin homeostasis of