Renal function in cyclosporine-treated pediatric renal transplant recipients in relation to gingival overgrowth

Transplant immunosuppression using cyclosporine (CsA) leads to renal dysfunction as well as gingival overgrowth. The underlying alteration in both these lesions is characterized by an excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix components (fibrosis). To investigate the relationship between CsA-induced nephrotoxicity and gingival overgrowth, the renal function as well as the occurrence of gingival overgrowth was evaluated in pediatric renal transplant recipients: 38 boys and 30 girls, ranging in age from 2 to 20 years, who had been on a CsA-based immunosuppressive regimen for at least 12 months. Gingival overgrowth was determined on the basis of measurements of sulcus depth and was diagnosed as positive when the probing depth was > or = 4 mm without exhibiting a loss of periodontal attachment. Renal function tests were performed using inulin and para-aminohippuric acid clearances for evaluating glomerular filtration rate, effective renal plasma flow (ERPF), and filtration fraction (FF). Nineteen percent of the children exhibited gingival overgrowth. The occurrence of gingival overgrowth was positively related (P