The influence of dose interval on the immunosuppressive potency of methylprednisolone: an experimental organ transplant study in isogenous rats

Abstract

Groups of isogenous Brown-Norway rats received heterotopic heart transplants from (Brown-Norway/Wistar Furth) x F1 hybrid rats. Methylprednisolone was administered IV in a daily dose of 5-40 mg/kg, using a dose interval of 24, 12, or 0 h (continuous infusion). Continuous infusion proved to be superior when small daily doses were used and then caused a more than threefold increase in graft survival. High daily doses created a substantial mortality with all dose intervals. Moreover, the equipment used for continuous drug administrations was unreliable beyond 4 weeks of infusion.