Reduced nephrotoxicity of cyclosporine A in hypercholesterolemic cadaveric renal transplant patients.

In a retrospective analysis of stable cadaveric renal transplant patients we identified 19 patients with high (> 270 mg/dl) and 12 patients with low (< 170 mg/dl) serum cholesterol levels. We found that patients with high cholesterol level had higher serum cyclosporine levels despite similar oral dose of cyclosporine, suggesting its increased oral bioavailability or decreased biliary excretion. Moreover, the high cholesterol patients were protected from the cyclosporine side effects such as nephrotoxicity and hypertension.