LOCAL TREATMENT OF RENAL ALLOGRAFTS, A PROMISING WAY TO REDUCE THE DOSAGE OF IMMUNOSUPPRESSIVE DRUGS

COMPARISON OF VARIOUS WAYS OF ADMINISTERING PREDNISOLONE

Abstract

A method is described for continuous administration of immunosuppressive drugs directly into rate renal allografts. The drug is given via a catheter, introduced into the suprarenal or testicular artery of the transplanted kidney. The cannula is connected to an implantable osmotic minipump that delivers an immunosuppressive drug with continuous flow for 13 days. It is demonstrated that the technique as such has no detrimental or enhancing effects on renal allograft survival. Depending upon the pharmacokinetic properties of the drug administered, this technique allows a more or less selective treatment of renal allograft rejection.

The method was used to test the effect of intrarenal administration of prednisolone on renal allograft survival. Intrarenal administration of this drug appeared to be superior to any other way of administration tested.