Efficacy of Cordyceps sinensis in long term treatment of renal transplant patients

High doses of cyclosporin A (CsA) can not be used in the long term treatment of kidney allograft recipients primarily due to severe side effects. In the present study, we investigated the potential application of Cordyceps sinensis (CS) in the long term treatment of renal transplant patients. The renal function and survival rates of grafts and patients was not significantly different between the control group and the treatment group. With the exception of those showing acute rejection, the incidence of complications was significantly lower in the treatment group compared with that in the control group. Furthermore, the dosage and the concentration trough of CsA in whole blood were significantly lower in the treatment than control group. However, there was no significant difference in the serum level of IL-2 in the two groups. Interestingly, the serum level of IL-10 in the treatment group was higher than that in control group. These data demonstrat that CS may be used in combination with a low dose of CsA in the long term treatment of kideny transplant patients.