Tubular dysfunction following kidney transplantation

After transplantation the kidney is subjected to rejection and other deleterious factors including ischemic damage, acute tubular necrosis, rejection and the use of cyclosporine A (CsA) or FK506. As a result, kidney damage may be generalized with azotemia as its hallmark. These tubular syndromes may cause profound changes in the acid base balance and in the level of certain blood electrolytes and minerals. As a general rule, the renal tubular acidosis (RTA) that appears early following transplantation disappears spontaneously and is predominantly a sequela to acute renal failure. On the other hand, defects occurring in the late posttransplant period are often due to chronic rejection or CsA-induced nephrotoxicity. Secondary hyperparathyroidism, urinary tract infection and obstructive uropathy may also play a contributory urinary role in the pathogenesis of RTA. Chronic RTA following transplantation may interfere with bone metabolism and at times lead to nephrocalcinosis and nephrolithiasis. Therefore, if the condition is prolonged, a supplement of bicarbonate should be given if for no other reason than to protect the skeleton. As these patients may develop either hyperkalemia or hypokalemia, treatment with potassium supplements or potassium-sparing diuretics should be carried out with caution and under constant surveillance. Furthermore, magnesium replacement may be advisable if hypomagnesemia by decreased proximal reabsorption becomes clinically evident. Tubular dysfunction may occur following renal transplantation even in patients with maintained glomerular filtration rate and may induce a number of clinical problems including deterioration of renal graft function.