Effects of NFAT-regulated gene expression on serum tacrolimus level and clinic of patients in renal transplant patients receiving tacrolimus treatment

Objectives: In this study, it was aimed to investigate the effect and clinical implications of tacrolimus, one of the immunosuppressive drugs used to prevent transplant kidney rejection, on blood level and NFAT-regulated gene activation in T cell nuclei in kidney transplant patients. Materials and methods: The study included 48 patients who had undergone kidney transplantation due to recent kidney disease at various times and who had no complaints and who had routine controls at the Nephrology Polyclinic of Çukurova University Medical Faculty, regardless of age and gender. NFAT gene expression was measured 3 hours and 12 hours after tacrolimus treatment in kidney transplant patients using tacrolimus, and clinical implications were evaluated by comparing with 12-hour tacrolimus blood level. Results: There was no statistically significant correlation between NFATC2-Gene Activation 0. hour and 3. hour value and Tacrolimus 0. hour and 3. hour. A statistically significant correlation was found between tacrolimus 3 hour and hemoglobin, HTC and Triglyceride. A statistically significant reverse correlation was found between urinary protein/creatinine and urinary albumin/creatinine with Tacrolimus at 0 hour and urinary protein/creatinine with tacrolimus at 3 hour. Conclusion: It was observed that NFATC2 gene activation tended to increase 3 hours after tacrolimus ingestion but was not statistically significant, there was no statistically significant correlation between the 0. hour and 3. hour value of NFATC2 gene activation and tacrolimus 0. hour and 3. hour. Therefore, it can be thought that NFATC2 does not have any superiority over tacrolimus blood drug concentration in monitoring patientsbut clinic impression of the higher levels of gene activation is unknown. Keywords: Kidney transplant, Tacrolimus, NFAT-regulated gene expression