Prolonged kidney allograft survival with promethazine

Transplant Proc. 1979 Mar;11(1):871-3.

Abstract

The effects of promethazine hydrochloride have been investigated in a rabbit kidney allograft model. The drug was ineffective on its own, but if added to a protocol that induced partial suppression of rejection in 50% of recipients, its effect was dramatic. Allograft survival was prolonged from a control mean of 10.3 days to a mean of 26.3 days. One animal survived 2 1/2 months, and no other drug than promethazine was given after day 6. Promethazine and 6-methylprednisolone alone also prolonged allograft survival, but the results were significantly better if the recipient had been exposed to donor blood before grafting. The results suggest that promethazine is a useful adjuvant immunosuppressive drug. It could be beneficial in man.

MeSH terms

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic
  • Animals
  • Blood Transfusion
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Graft Rejection / drug effects*
  • Immunosuppressive Agents*
  • Kidney Transplantation
  • Methylprednisolone / pharmacology
  • Promethazine / administration & dosage
  • Promethazine / pharmacology*
  • Rabbits
  • Transplantation, Homologous

Substances

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Promethazine
  • Methylprednisolone