Abstract
Although dual blockade of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) with the combination of an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACE-I) and angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) is generally well-established as a treatment for nephropathy, this treatment is not fully effective in some patients. Based on the recent evidence implicating aldosterone in renal disease progression, this study was conducted to examine the efficacy of blockade with three different mechanisms by adding an aldosterone blocker in patients who do not respond adequately to the dual blockade. A 1-year randomized, open-label, multicenter, prospective controlled study was conducted, in which 32 non-diabetic nephropathy patients with proteinuria exceeding 0.5 g/day were enrolled after more than 12 weeks of ACE-I (5 mg enalapril) and ARB (50 mg losartan) combination treatment. These patients were allocated into two groups of 16 patients each: a triple blockade group in which 25 mg of spironolactone daily was added to the ACE-I and ARB combination treatment, and a control group in which 1 mg of trichlormethiazide or 20 mg of furosemide was added to the combination treatment instead of spironolactone depending upon the creatinine level. After 1 year of treatment, the urinary protein level decreased by 58% (p<0.05) with the triple blockade but was unchanged in the controls. Furthermore, urinary type IV collagen level decreased by 40% (p<0.05) with the triple blockade but was unchanged in the controls. The decreases in urinary protein and urinary type IV collagen were not accompanied by a decrease in blood pressure. Mean serum creatinine, potassium and blood pressure did not change significantly by either treatment. In conclusion, triple blockade of the RAAS was effective for the treatment of proteinuria in patients with non-diabetic nephropathy whose increased urinary protein had not responded sufficiently to a dual blockade.
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
