Abstract
Few cases with myopathy related to ciclosporin (CS) have been reported. The author has, however, experienced four cases of myopathy thought to be caused by CS. Based upon these clinical experiences, CS is considered to affect the skeletal and cardiac muscles. The histological examinations of skeletal and cardiac muscles were carried out in SD-strain rats treated with CS at 25 mg/kg/day for six weeks. The results showed that myogenic changes were induced despite a relatively low CS plasma concentration. Neurogenic changes were not observed in a histological examination. In cardiac muscle, the results suggested the induction of myocarditis coupled with infiltration of inflammatory cells at a relatively high CS plasma concentration. Careful observation is necessary to monitor the occurrence of skeletal muscle damage and cardiomyopathy when treating patients with this agent.
