Glycosaminoglycans Delay the Progression of Nephropathy in NIDDM
- Anna Solini, MD,
- Luciana Vergnani, MD,
- Franco Ricci, MD and
- Gaetano Crepaldi, MD
- Department of Internal Medicine University of Padova, University of Ferrara Ferrara, Italy
- Padova Department of Internal Medicine II, University of Ferrara Ferrara, Italy
- Address correspondence and reprint requests to Anna Solini, MD, Department of Internal Medicine II, University of Ferrara, Via Savonarola, 9,1-44100 Ferrara, Italy. E-mail: flr{at}ifeuniv.unife.it
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the effect of oral administration of glycosaminoglycans on metabolic control and albumin excretion rate (AER) in NIDDM patients with increased urinary albumin excretion.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Twelve NIDDM hypertensive patients (age 52 ± 3 years, HbA1c 7.7 ± 0.2%) on antihypertensive treatment were enrolled in a double-blind placebo-controlled study, assuming either placebo or sulodexide (100 mg/day) for 4 months; at the end of this period, a crossover was performed. We have evaluated routine biochemical parameters plus AER and coagulative function every 2 months.
RESULTS Both plasma fibrinogen (from 4.15 ± 0.32 to 2.77 ± 0.47 mmol/l) and AER (from 128.3 ± 40.6 to 39.6 ± 11.9 μg/min) decreased significantly after treatment with glycosaminoglycans in respect to placebo; moreover, blood pressure control ameliorated, also in the absence of any variation of therapy.
CONCLUSIONS Glycosaminoglycan therapy, likely in association with a satisfactory control of blood pressure values, seems to prevent the progression of diabetic nephropathy in NIDDM.
- Received August 19, 1996.
- Accepted December 10, 1996.
- Copyright © 1997 by the American Diabetes Association
