Prostaglandin E1 infusion therapy in chronic glomerulonephritis--a double-blind, crossover trial

Nine patients with chronic glomerulonephritis were investigated in a controlled, double-blind, crossover study to assess the efficacy of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) infusion therapy. Three-hour intravenous infusions of PGE1 (100 micrograms/day) and placebo were performed every day for three weeks, respectively. Improvement of renal function was demonstrated by statistical u-test (p less than 0.01) and x2-test (p less than 0.05). Three weeks infusion of PGE1 tended to increase creatinine clearance. PGE1 infusion significantly decreased the serum level of creatinine as compared with the placebo infusion (p less than 0.05). The urinary excretion of protein, however, did not change with PGE1. It was concluded that PGE1 infusion is effective in improving renal function in patients with chronic glomerulonephritis.