Pentoxifylline plus ACEIs/ARBs for proteinuria and kidney function in chronic kidney disease: a meta-analysis

Objective This meta-analysis aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of pentoxifylline (PTF) plus angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs)/angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) for proteinuria and kidney function in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Methods CENTRAL, EMBASE, Ovid-MEDLINE, PubMed, and CNKI were searched for relevant, randomized, controlled trials (RCTs). A meta-analysis was performed to review the effect of PTF plus ACEIs/ARBs vs. ACEIs/ARBs alone on proteinuria and kidney function in CKD. Results Eleven RCTs including 705 patients were retrieved. PTF plus ACEI/ARB treatment significantly decreased proteinuria in patients with CKD within 6 months (standard mean difference [SMD] -0.52; 95% CI -0.90 to 0.15; I²= 68%) and significantly attenuated a decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in patients with stages 3-5 CKD after 6 months of treatment (standard mean difference [SMD] 0.30; confidence limit [Cl] 95% CI 0.06 to 0.54; I²= 0%). PTF plus ACEIs/ARBs for 9 to 12 months significantly reduced albuminuria in patients with CKD (SMD-0.30, 95% CI -0.57 to 0.03; I²= 0%) and alleviated the decline in eGFR in patients with stages 3-5 CKD (SMD 0.51; 95% CI 0.06 to 0.96; I²= 61%). Conclusion The combination of an ACEI or ARB and PTF has a protective effect in reducing proteinuria by ameliorating the decline in eGFR in patients with stages 3-5 CKD.