[Diabetic nephropathy: new findings on pathogenesis and therapy]

The authors describe the new factors (genetic, haemodynamic and metabolic) which are involved in the pathogenesis and therapy of diabetic nephropathy. The treatment must be based especially on strict control of glycaemia, decrease in arterial blood pressure, beneficial effect of low-protein diet, reduction of body weight and smoking prevention. The combination of the presented therapeutic procedures can slow down the progression of nephropathy and approximate it to the process of natural ageing.