Can progression of renal disease be prevented?

Renal disease from a variety of causes often progresses to end-stage renal failure. The progression may be caused by factors accompanying, but not initiating, renal injury. These factors include glomerular hyperfiltration, glomerular hypertension, systemic hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. Studies, primarily in animals, indicate that causative factors may be altered by control of systemic hypertension, dietary protein restriction, administration of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or calcium channel blockers, and plasma lipid control. Whether such interventions will significantly alter progressive renal disease in humans is, as yet, uncertain.