Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor use in kidney transplant recipients

Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors(SGLT2i)are novel oral hypoglycemic agents garnering much attention for their substantial benefits.These recent data have positioned SGLT2i at the forefront of diabetic chronic kidney disease(CKD)and heart failure management.SGLT2i use post-kidney transplant is an emerging area of research.Highlights from this mini review include the following:Empagliflozin is the most prescribed SGLT2i in kidney transplant recipients(KTRs),median time from transplant to initiation was 3 years(range:0.88-9.6 years).Median baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate(eGFR)was 66.7 mL/min/1.73 m2(range:50.4-75.8).Median glycohemoglobin(HgbA1c)at initiation was 7.7%(range:6.9-9.3).SGLT2i were demonstrated to be effective short-term impacting HgbA1c,eGFR,hemoglobin/hematocrit,serum uric acid,and serum magnesium levels.They are shown to be safe in KTRs with low rates of infections,hypoglycemia,euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis,and stable tacrolimus levels.More data is needed to demonstrate long-term outcomes.SGLT2i appear to be safe,effective medications for select KTRs.Our present literature,though limited,is founded on precedent robust research in CKD patients with diabetes.Concurrent research/utilization of SGLT2i is vital to not only identify long-term patient,graft and cardiovascular outcomes of these agents,but also to augment management in KTRs.

Role of novel biomarkers in kidney transplantation

Clinical application of biomarkers is an integral component of transplant care.Clinicians and scientists alike are in search of better biomarkers than the current serologic(serum creatinine,donor-specific antibodies),urine-derived(urinalysis,urine protein),and histologic ones we now use.The science behind recent biomarker discovery spans across multiple molecular biologic disciplines,including transcriptomics,proteomics,and metabolomics.Innovative methodology and integration of basic and clinical approaches have allowed researchers to unearth molecular phenomena preceding clinical disease.Biomarkers can be classified in several ways.In this review,we have classified them via their origin and outcome:Primarily immunologic,i.e.,representative of immune regulation and dysfunction and non-immunologic,pertaining to delayed graft function,cardiovascular events/mortality,infection,malignancy,posttransplant diabetes,graft,and patient survival.Novel biomarker uses to guide the diagnosis and management of transplant-related outcomes is a promising area of research.However,the use of biomarkers to predict outcomes after kidney transplantation is not well studied.In this review,we summarize the recent studies illustrating biomarker use and transplant outcomes.

Histopathological characteristics and causes of kidney graft failure in the current era of immunosuppression

BACKGROUND The histopathological findings on the failing kidney allograft in the modern era is not well studied. In this study, we present our experience working with kidney transplant recipients with graft failure within one year of the biopsy.AIM To report the histopathological characteristics of failed kidney allografts in the current era of immunosuppression based on the time after transplant, cause of the end-stage renal disease and induction immunosuppressive medications.METHODS In a single-center observational study, we characterized the histopathological findings of allograft biopsies in kidney transplant recipients with graft failure within one year after the biopsy.RESULTS We identified 329 patients with graft failure that met the selection criteria between January 1, 2006 and December 31, 2016. The three most common biopsy findings were interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy(IFTA, 53%), acute rejection (AR, 43%) and transplant glomerulopathy(TG, 33%). Similarly, the three most common causes of graft failure based on the primary diagnosis were AR(40%),TG(17%), and IFTA(13%). Most grafts failed within two years of post-transplant(36%). Subsequently, approximately 10%-15% of grafts failed every two years: >2-4 years(16%), > 4-6 years(13%), > 6-8 years(11%), > 8-10 years(9%) and > 10 years(16%). AR was the most common cause of graft failure in the first six years(48%), whereas TG was the most prevalent cause of graft failure after 6 years(32%) of transplant.CONCLUSION In the current era of immunosuppression, AR is still the most common cause of early graft failure, while TG is the most prevalent cause of late graft failure.