Glycosaminoglycans delay the progression of nephropathy in NIDDM.
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.


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 micrograms/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.
Solini
A
A
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Padova, Italy. flr@ifeuniv.unife.it
Vergnani
L
L
Ricci
F
F
Crepaldi
G
G
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000419:Albuminuria; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D001794:Blood Pressure; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003928:Diabetic Nephropathies / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013997:Time Factors; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D001786:Blood Glucose; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D014280:Triglycerides; C007858:glucuronyl glucosamine glycan sulfate; D002784:Cholesterol