| [ Summary ] |
Successful renal transplantation restores near-normal renal function and emancipates a patient from the dietary restrictions required for therapy during periods of progressive renal failure and dialysis. However, immunosuppressive therapies, especially glucocorticoids, cyclosporine, and tacrolimus, are associated with metabolic side effects, including protein hypercatabolism, obesity, hyperlipidemia, glucose intolerance, hypertension, hyperkalemia, and metabolic bone disease. Many of these factors may lead allograft to destruction. Therefore, careful attention to the nutritional and metabolic states of the renal transplant patient is warranted. |