The Influence of Immunomodulatory Diets on Transplant Success and Complications

Publication Type
Journal Article
Year of Publication
2005
Authors
Alexander, JW; Metze, TJ; McIntosh, MJ; Goodman, HR; First, MR; Munda, R; Cardi, MA; Austin, JN; Goel, S; Safdar, S; Greenberg, N; Chen, X; Woodle, ES
Secondary
Transplantation
Volume
79
Start Page
460
Pagination
460-465
Date Published
02/2005
Keywords
Body Weight; Calcineurin; Dietary Supplements; Female; Graft Rejection; Graft Survival; Immunosuppression; Immunosuppressive Agents; kidney transplantation; Lipids; Male; Middle Aged; Nitric Oxide
Abstract
{BACKGROUND: Animal studies have shown that dietary supplementation with arginine and lipids containing the omega-3 and omega-9 fatty acids prolong allograft survival in animals receiving a short course of low-dose cyclosporine. They also reduce cardiovascular complications and infections in humans. METHODS: Adult renal transplant patients receiving standard immunosuppression were stratified according to gender, diabetic state, donor source (LD or CD), and first versus repeat transplant, and randomized to receive or not receive supplemental arginine and canola oil (containing both omega-3 and omega-9 fatty acids) twice daily. Patients were followed for a minimum of 3 years. RESULTS: Seventy-six patients were randomized to the supplement group (S) and 71 patients to the control group (C). Intent-to-treat analysis revealed that S patients had fewer post-30 day first rejection episodes (5.4%) when compared with the C group (23.7%) (P=0.01) and fewer post-30 day episodes of calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) drug toxicity (9.2% vs. 35.3%
URL
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15729173