Preliminary results of short-term combination immunosuppressions of mizoribine, azathioprine, and prednisolone with pretreatment to canine kidney transplantation.

Serial combinations of immunosuppressive drugs (mizoribine: Mi, azathioprine: Az, and prednisolone: Pr) were administered for renal heterotopic allotransplantation in 50 mixed-breed dogs and 4 beagle dogs. The dogs were randomly divided in 5 groups depending upon immunosuppressive protocols. All immunosuppressive protocols were started at 5 days prior to transplantation and discontinued on the eighth day after transplantation. The mean survival time for the allograft recipients in the group receiving Az and Pr [Az (2.5) & Pr group; Az dosage, 2.5 mg/kg once a day with Pr] was 16.2 +/- 2.4 days and in the group receiving Az, Mi, and Pr (Mi & Az & Pr group; Mi dosage, 5.0 mg/kg once a day with Az and Pr), it was 14.0 +/- 2.6 days. These results were significantly longer than the control group (mean survival time, 8.7 +/- 2.4 days; P < 0.01). There was no statistical difference in survival time between these two groups. Groups with combinations of Az and Pr had significant elevations of hepatic enzymes (ALT and ALP) during the 7 days of immunosuppressive treatment after kidney transplantation. The Mi & Az & Pr group had lower elevations of hepatic enzymes than groups with combinations of Az and Pr. The combination immunosuppression of Mi, Az, and Pr with pre-treatment for canine, kidney transplantation revealed relatively fewer side-effects for the liver and longer survival-time.