Suppressive activity of pemirolast potassium, an antiallergic drug, on glomerulonephritis. Studies in glomerulonephritis model rats and in patients with chronic glomerulonephritis concurrently affected by allergic rhinitis.
BACKGROUND
It is still difficult to manage chronic glomerulonephritis with corticosteroids because of safety concerns, especially for patients with mild symptoms and infants. Therefore, an alternative approach is greatly required. Pemirolast potassium (CAS 100299-08-9) is an antiallergic drug with high safety.


METHODS
Two glomerulonephritis rat models were prepared to examine the pharmacological actions of pemirolast potassium: one reversible model prepared with the anti-Thy-1 antibody, and another irreversible model by unilateral nephrectomy and with the anti-Thy-1 antibody. Pemirolast potassium was administered to 10 Japanese chronic glomerulonephritis patients concurrently affected by allergic rhinitis in order to examine its efficacy for mild proteinuria.


RESULTS
Pemirolast potassium 1 and 10 mg/kg markedly inhibited proteinuria in the reversible model. In the irreversible model, pemirolast potassium 3 mg/kg showed a significant decrease in the incidence of glomerulosclerosis. In chronic glomerulonephritis patients, pemirolast potassium, 10 mg twice daily, for 6 months, significantly reduced the severity of proteinuria.


CONCLUSIONS
Our research suggested the efficacy of pemirolast potassium in glomerulonephritis. A well-controlled study is considered necessary to validate pemirolast potassium as a therapeutic drug for glomerulonephritis.
Gohda
Tomohito
T
Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
Ra
Chisei
C
Hamada
Chieko
C
Tsuge
Toshinao
T
Kawachi
Hiroshi
H
Tomino
Yasuhiko
Y
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000276:immunology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D005921:Glomerulonephritis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D006633:Histamine Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009392:Nephrectomy; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011507:Proteinuria / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D011725:Pyridines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011744:Pyrimidinones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000276:immunology
D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents; D001323:Autoantibodies; D006633:Histamine Antagonists; D011725:Pyridines; D011744:Pyrimidinones; C055139:pemirolast