Atorvastatin improves tubular status in non-diabetic patients with chronic kidney disease - placebo controlled, randomized, cross-over study.

BACKGROUND: There is evidence that dyslipidemia is associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and it has been implicated in the progression of renal damage. Optimal management of dyslipidemia should therefore lead to renal benefits. A number of experimental models demonstrate a beneficial effect of statins in ameliorating renal damage. However, the exact mechanism by which statins protect against renal damage remains unclear. METHODS: In a placebo-controlled, randomized, cross-over study we evaluated the influence of atorvastatin (ATO) 40 mg/day added to the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone systeme (RAAS) blockade on proteinuria and surrogate biomarkers of tubular damage or injury in 14 non-diabetic patients with proteinuria (0.4-1.8 g per 24 h) with normal or declined kidney function (eGFR 55-153 ml/min). In the eight-week run-in period, therapy using angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) and/or angiotensin II subtype 1 receptor antagonists (ARB) was adjusted to achieve a blood pressure below 130/80 mm Hg. Next, patients were randomly assigned to one of two treatment sequences: ATO/washout/placebo or placebo/washout/ATO. Clinical evaluation and laboratory tests were performed at the randomization point and after each period of the study. The primary end point of this study was a change in proteinuria measured as 24-h urine protein excretion (DPE). Secondary end points included urine N-acetyl-ß-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) and α1-microglobulin (α1m) excretion. RESULTS: The ATO therapy significantly reduced urine excretion of α1m (p=0.033) and NAG (p=0.038) as compared to placebo. There were no differences in proteinuria, blood pressure, eGFR and serum creatinine between the ATO and placebo groups. CONCLUSION: Atorvastatin treatment is safe and improves biomarkers of tubular damage or injury in non-diabetic patients with CKD.

The effect of N-acetylcysteine on blood pressure and markers of cardiovascular risk in non-diabetic patients with chronic kidney disease: a placebo-controlled, randomized, cross-over study.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular complications in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are frequent. They show increased cardiovascular mortality and morbidity attributable to accumulation of several risk factors; e.g., hypertension, oxidative stress and elevated plasma homocysteine concentration. Despite recent progress in their management, there is still no optimal therapy that can stop progression of CKD and decrease cardiovascular outcome in these patients. Antioxidants, e.g., N-acetylcysteine (NAC), have been suggested as a promising medicament in this field. MATERIAL/METHODS: In a placebo-controlled, randomized, two-period cross-over study we evaluated the influence of eight weeks of NAC therapy (1200 mg/day) added to pharmacological renin-angiotensin system blockade on ambulatory blood pressure and surrogate markers of cardiovascular risk and injury in 20 non-diabetic patients with albuminuria [30-915 mg per creatinine mg] and normal or slightly decreased kidney function [eGFR 61-163 ml/min]. After eight weeks run-in period during which the therapy using angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and/or angiotensin receptor blockers was settled, patients were randomly assigned to one of two treatment sequences: NAC/washout/placebo or placebo/washout/NAC. RESULTS: No significant changes in blood pressure, albuminuria and homocysteine plasma level were observed. CONCLUSIONS: NAC had no effect on blood pressure and surrogate markers of cardiovascular injury in non-diabetic patients with CKD.

The effect of N-acetylcysteine on proteinuria and markers of tubular injury in non-diabetic patients with chronic kidney disease. A placebo-controlled, randomized, open, cross-over study.

BACKGROUND: Inhibition of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) and/or angiotensin II subtype 1 receptor antagonists (ARB) constitutes a strategy in the management of patients with chronic kidney disease. There is still no optimal therapy which can stop the progression of chronic kidney disease. Antioxidants such as N-acetylcysteine (NAC) have been reported as a promising strategy in this field. METHODS: In a placebo-controlled, randomized, open, 2-period cross-over study, we evaluated the influence of NAC (1,200 mg/day) added to renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system blockade on proteinuria and surrogate markers of tubular injury and renal fibrosis in 20 non-diabetic patients with proteinuria (0.4-6.36 g/24 h) with normal or decreased kidney function (estimated glomerular filtration rate 61-163 ml/min). Subjects entered the 8-week run-in period during which the therapy using ACEI and/or ARB was established with blood pressure below 130/80 mm Hg. Next, patients were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatment sequences: NAC/washout/placebo or placebo/washout/NAC. Clinical evaluation and laboratory tests were performed at the randomization point and after each period of the study. RESULTS: No significant changes in laboratory tests were observed. CONCLUSION: NAC had no effect on proteinuria, surrogate markers of tubular injury or renal fibrosis in non-diabetic patients with chronic kidney disease.

[Pentoxifylline old drug or new hope for nephrology?]. / Pentoksyfilina stary lek czy nowa nadzieja nefrologii?

Pharmacological inhibition of the renin-angiotensin-aldosteron system (RAAS) constitutes a cornerstone strategy in the management of patients with chronic nephropathies with proteinuria and with chronic renal failure. Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) as well as angiotensin II subtype 1 receptor antagonists have been shown to decrease proteinuria, reduce the local renal inflammatory processes and slow the progression of renal insufficiency. Despite recent progress, there is still no optimal therapy that would stop progression of renal disease. May be pentoxifilline (PTF)--the old medication which is still used to treat peripheral vascular disease and brain ischemia will be the new adjunct to RAAS blockade. In addition, PTF has been shown to decrease the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and reactive oxygen species. PTF therapy may improve the hemoglobin response in patients with previously rh-EPO resistant anemia in renal failure. This may occur due to inhibition of proinflammatory cytokine production. Probably in the next few years we will get answer to the question of PTF role in nephrology.

[Clinical state of a patient with nephrotic proteinuria successfully treated with combined therapy with angiotensin II receptor antagonists and angiotensin II converting enzyme inhibitors and pentoxifylline]. / Opis przypadku chorego z bialkomoczem nerczycowym skutecznie leczonego polaczeniem leków z grupy antagonistów receptorów AT-1 dla angiotensyny II i inhibitorów konwertazy angiotensyny oraz pentoksyfiliny.

Pharmacological inhibition of the renin-angiotensin-aldosteron system (RAAS) constitutes a cornerstone strategy in the management of patients with chronic nephropaties and proteinuria. Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) as well as angiotensin II subtype 1 receptor antagonists (ARA) have been shown to decrease proteinuria, reduce the local renal inflammatory processes and slow the progression of renal insufficiency. Despite recent progress, there is still no optimal therapy which inhibits progression of renal disease. It is possible that pentoxifilline (PTX) an old medication which is still used to treat peripheral vascular disease will be the new adjunct to RAAS blockade. In addition, PTX has been shown to decrease the production of pro inflammatory cytokines and reactive oxygen species. 61-Year-old man with nephrotic proteinuria, diabetes type 2, hypertension, chronic viral hepatitis type C and slightly impaired renal function was desribed. Proteinuria as daily urine protein excretion (DPE), serum creatinine and eGFR (MDRD mode) were measured. Proteinuria was diagnosed in 2003 (DPE 3.5 g), creatinine 1.3-1.5 mg/dl. The patient had been examined in Department of Nephrology but exact reason of nephrotic syndrome was not recognized because he refused kidney biopsy. Therapy was started with ACEI and temporary effect as decrease of DPE to 0.2 g, eGFR was about 60 ml/min. and serum creatinine in normal range. In 2004 DPE increased to 8.98-9.42 g, serum creatinine 1.1-1.3 mg/dl. The dose of ACEI was increased and after then ARA was added. After one month of combined therapy DPE fell to 7.7 g, next the doses of both drugs were increased to maximum (losartan 100 mg and lisinopril 40 mg) and DPE fell to 6.8 g, serum creatinine was 1.4 mg/dl and potassium 5.4 mmol/l. Next PTF 800 mg/day was added and DPE fell to 0.55 g after 2 months' therapy. Similar DPE was after 6 months (0.53 g) since we started with combination of IKA, ARA and PTF.

Triple pharmacological blockade of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in nondiabetic CKD: an open-label crossover randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Agents inhibiting the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone (RAAS) system have an important role in slowing the progression of chronic kidney disease. We evaluated the hypothesis that the addition of an aldosterone receptor antagonist to an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor and angiotensin II type 1 (AT-1) receptor blocker (ARB) (triple RAAS blockade) may provide an additional benefit compared with an ACE inhibitor and ARB (double RAAS blockade). DESIGN: Randomized open controlled crossover study. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS: 18 whites (7 women, 11 men) from the Outpatient Department of Nephrology with chronic nondiabetic proteinuric kidney diseases, mean age 42.4 +/- 1.9 years (SEM). INTERVENTIONS: In the 8-week run-in period, all participants received the ACE inhibitor cilazapril (5 mg), the ARB telmisartan (80 mg), and the diuretic hydrochlorothiazide (12.5 mg) as double RAAS blockade to achieve the target blood pressure of less than 130/80 mm Hg. Participants were then randomly assigned to 2 treatment sequences, either the addition of spironolactone (25 mg) (triple RAAS blockade) through 8 weeks followed by double RAAS blockade through 8 weeks (sequence 1) or double RAAS blockade followed by triple RAAS blockade (sequence 2). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: 24-hour urine protein excretion (primary end point) and markers of tubular injury and fibrosis (secondary end points). Analysis was performed using analysis of variance for repeated measurements. RESULTS: At baseline, mean serum creatinine level was 1.16 +/- 0.09 mg/dL (103 +/- 8 micromol/L), estimated glomerular filtration rate was 107.8 mL/min (95% confidence interval, 93 to 140.9 [1.8 mL/s; 95% confidence interval, 1.55 to 2.35; Cockcroft-Gault formula), and 24-hour mean proteinuria was 0.97 +/- 0.18 g. Mean urine protein excretion was 0.7 g/24 h (95% confidence interval, 0.48 to 0.92) less after triple RAAS blockade than after double RAAS blockade (P = 0.01), without change in blood pressure. Urine excretion of N-acetyl-beta-d-glucosaminidase (P = 0.02) and amino-terminal propeptide of type III procollagen (P = 0.05) also significantly decreased. Potassium levels increased significantly after triple therapy (P = 0.02). However, no patient was withdrawn because of adverse effects. LIMITATIONS: Absence of blinding, small sample size, short treatment period, absence of histological assessment. CONCLUSIONS: Administration of an aldosterone receptor antagonist in addition to double RAAS blockade with an ACE inhibitor and ARB may slow the progression of chronic kidney disease. Additional studies are necessary to confirm this result.

Dual blockade of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system with high-dose angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor for nephroprotection: an open, controlled, randomized study.

OBJECTIVE: Despite the proven effectiveness of combination therapy with an angiotensin I-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) and angiotensin II-receptor blockers (ARBs) for the prevention and treatment of kidney disease, it has not proved possible to inhibit the progress of chronic nephropathies completely. To improve renal outcome one may consider using increased dosages of ACEI above those usually recommended for hypertension. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A randomized, open, controlled study was conducted to evaluate the influence of two combination therapies on proteinuria, markers of tubular injury and renal fibrosis. A total of 18 patients with a creatinine level of 109+/-36 micromol/l and proteinuria of 0.97+/-0.76 g/24 h were enrolled in the study. In the 8-week run-in period, an ACEI (cilazapril 5 mg once-daily) and an ARB (telmisartan 80 mg once-daily) were administered to achieve the target blood pressure of < or = 130/80 mmHg. Next, the patients were randomly assigned to either an increased dose of cilazapril (10 mg) or the previous dose (5 mg) in two active-treatment periods, each lasting 8 weeks. RESULTS: A significant increase in renin activity was observed after administration of cilazapril 10 mg (6.46+/-1.12 vs 4.67+/-0.7 ng/ml/h; p=0.028). Proteinuria, urine excretion of N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase, and alpha1-microglobulin and amino-terminal propeptide of type III procollagen were unchanged. CONCLUSION: An increased dosage of cilazapril (twice the maximum recommended dose) in addition to combination therapy with telmisartan was associated with increased blockade of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, with no additional effect on proteinuria, markers of tubular injury or renal fibrosis.

Renal protective effects of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system blockade: from evidence-based approach to perspectives.

The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) blockade is currently the best-documented treatment strategy to delay the progression of chronic nephropathies. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (CEIs) or angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonists (ARBs) should be used in every normotensive and hypertensive patient with chronic proteinuric nephropathy of both diabetic and non-diabetic origin. The therapy should be initiated as early as possible, bearing in mind that the renoprotection is more effective if used before overt proteinuria or a reduction in kidney function is present. The therapy should be offered to all patients, regardless of renal function, as well as to subjects with severely impaired glomerular filtration. CEIs and ARBs should be administered in therapeutic doses as high as possible to achieve maximal possible proteinuria reduction and systemic blood pressure target <130/80 mm Hg, and 125/75 mm Hg in those subjects with renal insufficiency who present with proteinuria above 1 g/24 h. The combined therapy with the concomitant use of CEIs and ARBs should be offered to all patients with proteinuric non-diabetic chronic nephropathies who do not achieve full and persistent remission of proteinuria with CEI or ARB alone. The article reviews an evidence-based approach on the use of RAAS-inhibiting agents in kidney diseases, considers treatment strategies in different clinical situations and discusses some perspectives related to the implementation of the RAAS blockade in renal protection.