Summary
Pentoxifylline (PTX) has been demonstrated to improve graft survival in renal transplant
recipients undergoing post graft complications. As activated monocytes are possible
initiators of vascular damage through tissue factor (TF) expression, we evaluated
the monocyte TF expression and endothelium activation markers in 140 consecutive patients
receiving cadaveric kidney grafts, randomized in a double-blind study comparing PTX
versus placebo. Monocyte TF expression and plasma von Willebrand factor, tissue plasminogen
activator, thrombomodulin and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels were determined
before transplantation and each month after. Additional samplings were realized in
case of acute rejection. TF and TNF-α expression were significantly modified after
graft. In patients with complications, PTX prevented the increase of TF expression
at month one, and after rejection episodes. Endothelium activation markers were significantly
modified after graft and in patients with complications but PTX had no significant
effect on their plasma levels. These results suggest that the protective effect of
PTX on graft survival could be related to the prevention of monocyte TF upregulation
associated with complications.
Key words
Pentoxyfilline - tissue factor - renal transplantation - endothelium