Partial hepatectomy aggravates cyclosporin A-induced neurotoxicity by lowering the function of the blood–brain barrier in mice

AimsCyclosporin A, a calcineurin inhibitor, produces neurotoxicity with relatively high frequency in organ-transplanted patients. The aim of the present study was to clarify whether acute liver failure (ALF) simulated to the transient liver dysfunction at an early phase after liver transplantation increases the susceptibility to cyclosporin A-induced neurotoxicity through the blood–brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction.Main methodsThe right internal, left lateral and left internal lobes in male ddy mice were surgically excised under sodium pentobarbital anesthesia. Effect of cyclosporin A on harmine-induced tremors was examined and BBB permeability to 3[H]cyclosporin A was assessed in partially (70%) hepatectomized mice at postoperative days 1, 3 and 7.Key findingsPatrial hepatectomy aggravated harmine-induced tremors. Cyclosporin A (50 mg/kg, i.p.) markedly augmented harmine-induced tremors in partially hepatectomized mice at postoperative day 1. Consistent with these behavioral findings, the brain uptake of 3[H]cyclosporin A in mice injected with 3[H]cyclosporin A into the jugular vein at postoperative day 1 was significantly increased by partial hepatectomy compared with sham operation.SignificanceOur results indicate that ALF increases BBB permeability to cyclosporin A by lowering the function of P-glycoprotein and tight junctions, consequently leading to augmentation of cyclosporin A-induced neurotoxicity. The possibility that cyclosporin A increases the risk of neurotoxicity including tremors at an early phase of liver transplantation must be considered.