Purpose: The objective of this study was to determine if total plasma and lipoprotein cholesterol (C) and triglyceride (TG) concentrations could predict the degree of nephrotoxicity caused by the antifungal agent amphotericin B (AmpB); and to use the average amount of potassium supplementation received daily as a indicator of nephrotoxicity in pediatric oncology patients.
Patients and methods: Plasma samples from 18 patients (ages < 17 years) who were receiving AmpB due to suspected or confirmed fungal infection at British Columbia Children's Hospital were analyzed for lipid concentrations. The high density lipoprotein (HDL) fractions were separated by precipitation; total (TOT) plasma and fraction C and TG concentrations were measured by enzymatic colorimetric assays; and low density lipoprotein (LDL) C levels were determined by Friedewald's formula. Changes in serum creatinine levels from baseline and amounts of potassium supplementation were used as indicators of nephrotoxicity; both were obtained from patients' medical charts. Pearson correlation coefficients (r) were determined and considered significant if P < 0.05.
Results: The total cumulative AmpB dose, adjusted for weight, does not seem to predict AmpB-induced nephrotoxicity. Positive but relatively weak correlations were found between total potassium supplementation and LDL C (r = 0.489, P < 0.02); and TOT C (r = 0.551, P < 0.01). In addition, a positive but relatively weak correlation between the average amount of potassium supplementation per day above baseline and HDL C (r = 0.407; P < 0.02) was observed.
Conclusion: Differences in total plasma and LDL cholesterol concentrations may be used as predictors of AmpB-induced nephrotoxicity in pediatric oncology patients.