Evaluation of the Effect of High Dose Intravenous Vitamin C on Delayed Allograft Function in Deceased Donor Kidney Transplantation: A Preliminary Report Publisher



Borran M¹ ; Dashtikhavidaki S¹ ; Alamdari A² ; Naderi N² ; Minoo F²
Source: Renal Replacement Therapy Published:2020

Abstract

Background: Delayed graft function (DGF) can affect short- and long-term allograft outcomes in kidney transplant recipients. One of the pathophysiological pathways in the occurrence of DGF is ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). High dose intravenous vitamin C has proven efficacy in decreasing IRI consequences. Accordingly, we designed this study to assess the effect of high dose intravenous vitamin C on the incidence and duration of DGF. Methods: This is a pilot, single-center, double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. In the treatment group, kidney transplant recipients received vitamin C infusion at the dose of 70 mg/kg diluted in 0.45% saline, and in another study arm, only the diluent solution was administered. Data regarding allograft function and other clinical information was recorded. Results: This preliminary study on 19 patients (9 cases in the vitamin C and 10 cases in the placebo group) showed that after administration of single, high dose vitamin C the incidence of DGF was not significantly different between the groups, but the duration of DGF was substantially shorter in the vitamin C group than the placebo group (7.33 ± 5.68 versus 19.66 ± 0.57 days; P=0.02). Acute rejection episodes were more seen in the vitamin C group than in the placebo group. Although this data was not statistically significant (P=0.37), it led to the termination of the study. Conclusion: A high dose of intravenous vitamin C before allograft implantation was effective in decreasing DGF duration but not DGF incidence. Trial registration: The trial was registered in the Iranian registry of clinical trials encoded IRCT20100111003043N13 on June 24, 2019. © 2020 The Author(s).