Potential Effects of Immunosuppression on Oxidative Stress and Atherosclerosis in Kidney Transplant Recipients

Chronic kidney disease is a public health problem that, depending on the country, affects approximately 8–13% of the population, involving both males and females of all ages. Renal replacement therapy remains one of the most costly procedures. It is assumed that one of the factors influencing the course of chronic kidney disease might be oxidative stress. It is believed that the main mediators of oxidative stress are reactive oxygen species (ROS). Transiently increased concentrations of ROS play a significant role in maintaining an organism's homeostasis, as they are part of the redox-related signaling, and in the immune defense system, as they are produced in high amounts in inflammation. Systemic oxidative stress can significantly contribute to endothelial dysfunction along with exaggeration of atherosclerosis and development of cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of mortality in patients with kidney disease. Moreover, the progression of chronic kidney disease is strictly associated with the atherosclerotic process. Transplantation is the optimal method for renal replacement therapy. It improves better quality of life and prolongs survival compared with hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis; however, even a successful transplantation does not correct the abnormalities found in chronic kidney disease. As transplantation reduces the concentration of uremic toxins, which are a factor of inflammation per se, both the procedure itself and the subsequent immunosuppressive treatment may be a factor that increases oxidative stress and hence vascular sclerosis and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. In the current work, we review the effect of several risk factors in kidney transplant recipients as well as immunosuppressive therapy on oxidative stress.