Cardiac signaling molecules and plasma biomarkers after cardiac transplantation: Impact of tacrolimus versus cyclosporine

De novo CTX recipients exhibit significant sub-clinical inflammation and oxidative stress that persists 12 months after transplantation. Associated with this is activation of myocardial growth and inflammatory signaling and decreased apoptosis. Our findings suggest that CTX is an inflammatory condition associated with oxidative stress and myocardial growth regardless of CsA or TAC immunoprophylaxis and independently of rejection status.