Effect of urokinase on preservation of renal function in patients with diabetic nephropathy

Long-term effects of urokinase on the preservation of renal function in patients with diabetic nephropathy were evaluated. Twenty-nine adult patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and overt proteinuria were randomly divided into two groups. One group was treated with daily oral administration of dipyridamole or dilazep dihydrochloride and weekly intravenous administration of urokinase; the other group was treated with dipyridamole alone. There was a significant decrease in the amount of proteinuria in the first group after 3 months of the treatment compared with the second group. There was also a significant preservation of renal function in the first group after three years of treatment compared with the second group. It was concluded that continuous administration of urokinase in addition to antiplatelet agents is useful in the treatment of patients with diabetic nephropathy.