Efficacy of pentoxifylline for reduction of proteinuria in type II diabetic patients

Diabetic nephropathy is considered to be the most common cause of end stage renal disease (ESRD). Proteinuria is declared as the most marked risk factor in progression towards ESRD. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of pentoxifylline for reduction of proteinuria in type II diabetic patients.

From May 2007 to June 2008, this randomized clinical trial study was performed on 60 type II diabetic patients with proteinuria over 500 mg/day despite receiving angiotensin receptor or angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors. These patients were randomly divided into group A (Placebo) and group B (Pentoxifylline 400 mg 3 times daily). A twenty-four hour urine protein and creatinine clearance were assessed before and after three months of treatment.

Among the 56 patients, 38 were females and 18 were males. The mean age of patients in the placebo group was 57.6±9.3 and in the treatment group was 55.3±9.3 years. The duration of the disease in the placebo group was 14.03±5.7 and in the treated group was 11.9±6.2 years. The reduction of proteinuria in placebo group was 294±497 mg/dl and in the case group was 979±695 mg/dl (p<0.05). The mean creatinine clearance in placebo group was 79.4±19.9 and in the case group was 80.6± 22.8 mL/min (p>0.05).

The results show that adding pentoxifylline to other approved angiotensin system inhibitors can significantly reduce proteinuria in diabetic nephropathy and influence progression of the disease with no effect on renal function.