Phase I Study of Alpha-Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone in Patients With Acute Renal Failure

PROTOCOL ENTRY CRITERIA: --Disease Characteristics-- Group 1: Patients on chronic hemodialysis Group 2: Patients at high risk of developing acute renal failure (ARF) after cadaveric renal transplantation Received high risk allograft Cadaveric kidneys with greater than 24 hours of cold ischemia time Donor had rising creatinine before organ procurement Donor over 60 years Group 3: Patients with ischemic ARF due to hypotension, surgery, or trauma ARF severity index 20-60% Creatinine clearance 12-14 mL/min Rising creatinine of at least 0.5 mg/dL per day for 2 days without evidence of recovery despite standard supportive care No drug or contrast induced renal failure No oliguric renal failure (creatinine clearance 3-4 mL/min) No prior chronic renal failure Baseline creatinine greater than 2.5 mg/dL (males) or 2.0 mg/dL (females) No ARF due to bacterial or fungal sepsis, nephrotoxins, acute tubulointerstitial nephritis, cyclosporine toxicity, bilateral renal vascular disease, or systemic diseases (hepatorenal syndrome, glomerulonephritis, renal vasculitis, etc.) --Prior/Concurrent Therapy-- Group 1: No recent immunosuppressive therapy Group 2 and 3: No prior renal transplantation No prior alpha-MSH Group 3: No prior dialysis for this episode of ARF No anticipated need for dialysis for at least 24 hours At least 12 hours since prior diuretics, mannitol, or dopamine At least 14 days since prior immunosuppressive drugs --Patient Characteristics-- No recent infection No known reaction to Terumo T175 dialyzer Not a prisoner Not pregnant or nursing No allergy to drugs used in study Not mentally impaired Group 3: No severe nonrenal medical condition that would interfere with the study (e.g., terminal cancer)