Forty-five recent insulin-dependent diabetics (IDD) were treated with cyclosporine A (CsA) 7.5 mg/kg b.i.d. as single immunosuppressive therapy to achieve remission of diabetes. Measurements of mean arterial pressure (MAP), glomerular filtration rate (GFR:inulin clearance), renal vascular resistance (RVR: MAP x [1-haematocrit] divided by PAH clearance), absolute (UNa.V) and fractional (FENa) urinary sodium excretion, were performed initially (M0) and after 3 (M3) and 12 (M12) months of treatment. Results were (mean +/- SD): [table: see text] Prevalence of hypertension defined as MAP greater than or equal to 107 mmHg was 12% at M3 and 24% at M12. Whereas the maximal changes in GFR and RVR occurred at M3, MAP increased further and sodium excretion decreased at M12.
In conclusion: 1) CyA-induced increase in blood pressure paralleled that in RVR at M3 and decreased sodium excretion at M12. 2) There was a dissociation between MAP and GFR changes after 12 months of treatment with CyA.