title: Long-term effects of spironolactone on proteinuria and kidney function in patients with chronic kidney disease.
abstract: Experimental evidence suggests that aldosterone contributes to progressive kidney disease. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin type 1 receptor antagonists suppress the renin-angiotensin system but they do not effectively reduce plasma aldosterone. Hence, administration of aldosterone receptor antagonists may provide additional renal protection. In the present prospective randomized open-label study, we evaluated the effects of spironolactone (25 mg/day for 1 year) on proteinuria and estimated glomerular filtration rate in 83 patients with chronic kidney disease already treated with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and/or angiotensin type 1 receptor antagonists. Eighty-two patients were treated with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and/or angiotensin type 1 receptor antagonists alone and served as controls. After 1 year of therapy, proteinuria decreased from 2.1+/-0.08 to 0.89+/-0.06 g/g creatinine (P<0.001) in patients treated with spironolactone, but it did not change in control patients. Baseline aldosterone levels were significantly correlated with proteinuria (r=0.76, P<0.0001), and predicted the degree of reduction in proteinuria with spironolactone (r=0.42, P<0.0002). Baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate was similar in patients treated with spironolactone and controls (62.4+/-2.4 and 62.2+/-2.1 ml/min/1.73 m(2), respectively). After 1 month of therapy with spironolactone, estimated glomerular filtration rate decreased more in patients treated with spironolactone than in controls. However, by the end of 1 year the monthly rate of decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate from baseline was lower in patients treated with spironolactone than in controls (0.323+/-0.044 vs 0.474+/-0.037 ml/min/1.73 m(2), P<0.01). Spironolactone caused a significant rise in serum potassium levels (from 4.2+/-0.04 at baseline to 5.0+/-0.05 mEq/l after 12 months of treatment, P<0.001). In conclusion, this study has shown that spironolactone may reduce proteinuria and retard renal progression in chronic kidney disease patients.
authors.affiliation: Unità Operativa Nefrologia, Spedali Riuniti, Livorno, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bianchi
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bigazzi
authors.forename: V M
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Campese
mesh_terms: D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005919:Glomerular Filtration Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000451:Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011507:Proteinuria / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D051436:Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013148:Spironolactone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D000451:Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists; D013148:Spironolactone