title: The renoprotective potential of pentoxifylline in chronic kidney disease.
abstract: Current interventions with proven efficacy, such as glycemic and blood pressure control, dietary protein restriction, and angiotensin II blockade, slow the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD); however, whether long-term cessation of CKD progression is possible remains unclear. Because of the pathogenetic complexity of this condition, multidrug interventions with the least adverse effects should be investigated as the next step in attempts to stop CKD progression. Pentoxifylline, a non-selective phosphodiesterase inhibitor with indiscernible toxicity, exerts potent inhibitory effects against cell proliferation, inflammation, and extracellular matrix accumulation, all of which play important roles in CKD progression. Pentoxifylline monotherapy markedly reduces proteinuria in patients with membranous nephropathy. Moreover, limited human studies have proven pentoxifylline efficacy in reducing proteinuria in patients with diabetes receiving angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and in patients with nephrotic syndrome secondary to lupus nephritis despite immunosuppressive therapy. Further clinical trials are necessary to examine whether pentoxifylline can improve renal outcomes in patients receiving interventions of proven efficacy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.
authors.forename: Shuei-Liong
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Wen-Chih
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Chiang
authors.forename: Yung-Ming
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Chun-Fu
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.forename: Tun-Jun
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.forename: Bor-Shen
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Hsieh
mesh_terms: D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D003928:Diabetic Nephropathies / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010431:Pentoxifylline / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011507:Proteinuria / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; D010431:Pentoxifylline