In SPIREN the aim is to determine if spironolactone can prevent fibrosis and preserve glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in renal transplantation.

Calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) induced nephrotoxicity contributes to late kidney allograft failure and  aldosterone may play a role in the development of fibrosis. Rat studies indicated a beneficial effect of mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists against CNI toxicity.

SPIREN is a prospective, double-blind, randomised, clinical trial including kidney transplant patients. Spironolactone 25-50 mg/day or placebo is given for three years. Primary end point is mGFR. Secondary end points are 24-h protein excretion, fibrosis in renal allograft biopsies, and cardiovascular events.

SPIREN is a multicentre study with PI at Odense University Hospital.

Researcher:

• Bente Jespersen
  Professor, MD, DMSci, Head of department