Effect of Cyclosporine on Atrial Natriuretic Factor in Patients with Uveitis

To the Editor: Cyclosporine is a potent immunosuppressive agent used in solid-organ transplantation, bone marrow transplantation, and autoimmune diseases. However, nephrotoxicity and systemic hypertension are serious side effects of cyclosporine therapy. 1 Several hormonal systems, including the prostaglandins, 2 the renin—angiotensin axis, 3 and the adrenergic nervous system, 4 have been implicated in the renal toxicity induced by cyclosporine. Atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) is a hormone secreted by the cardiac atria that is involved in fluid and electrolyte homeostasis as well as in the control of arterial blood pressure. Unlike cyclosporine, ANF has beneficial renal effects and decreases arterial blood pressure. Indeed, it has . . .