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Cherry Juice & Kidney Transplant Patients

Jan 7, 2012 | By Suzanne Robin

Kidney transplant patients must tolerate many post-transplant medical conditions, including the likelihood of gout attacks. Gout, a type of arthritis resulting from uric acid crystals accumulating in the joints, often affects the big toe but can also affect other joints. Cherry juice, a folk remedy for gout, may have some benefit in preventing gout attacks in kidney transplant patients, although more studies are needed.

Causes of Gout in Kidney Transplants

Higher than normal uric acid levels increase the chances of developing gout. The kidneys normally filter out uric acid and keep levels below 7 milligrams per deciliter. After transplant, immuno-suppressant medications that prevent the body from rejecting the new kidney such as cyclosporine can interfere with uric acid elimination. As levels rise, uric acid crystal deposit in the joints and can cause gout. Between 2 and 13 percent of kidney transplant patients develop gout, according to a University of Massachusetts Medical School report published in the May 2000 issue of the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.

Possible Mechanisms

Cherry juice may act as an anti-inflammatory agent, according to rheumatologist Dr. Naomi Schlesenger, who presented a study on the effects of cherry juice at the 2010 annual meeting of the European League Against Rheumatism. Schlesinger, an associate professor of medicine at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of the New Jersey-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, found that in laboratory tests, cherry juice concentrate inhibited secretion of interleukin 1-beta, a substance that plays a part in the development of gout attacks. Drugs that work as interleukin-1 antagonists are currently used to treat gout attacks for patients who can't take traditional medications. Gout causes inflammation, with redness, swelling and pain in the affected joints.

Study Results

Schlesinger also looked at the effects of taking 1 tablespoon of cherry juice concentrate twice a day in 24 post-transplant patients taking immunosuppressants. Her study, also presented at the European League Against Rheumatism 2010 meeting, found that 92 percent of patients taking the concentrate for four months experienced a 50 percent or greater reduction in gout attacks. Patients who took both cherry concentrate and uric acid-lowering medications had a statistically significant reduction in gout attacks compared to patients who took only the prescription medications, she also reported.

Caveats

Gout can cause considerable pain and disability in kidney transplant patients. Standard treatments for gout can sometimes cause problems in these patients. While one study utilizing cherry juice concentrate shows promise, one isolated study does not prove a clinical benefit. Thus, do not stop taking prescribed medications to try cherry juice concentrate as an alternative medication without your doctor's approval.

References

Article reviewed by Chuck Goldberg Last updated on: Jan 7, 2012

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