The role of calcium channel blockers in the treatment of diabetic nephropathy

Abstract

Diabetic nephropathy (DNP) is a chronic renal disease (CRD) and a major cause of illness and premature death in peoplewith diabetes mellitus (DM). It is the single most important cause of end-stage renal disease in the Western world andaccounts for more than a quarter of all end-stage renal diseases. This article reviews the current development in DNP and thetherapeutic challenge with particular reference to the role of calcium channel blockers. Moreover, renal ischaemia hastens theprogression of DNP. Diltiazem and amlodipine have a tendency to reverse the changed parameters toward normal values butdo not affect the biochemical parameters. Generally speaking, diltiazem is better than amlodipine in reversing biochemicaland histopathological changes produced by DNP, and captopril reverses most of the changed parameters with the exceptionof the histopathological changes. These agents have nephroprotective properties and delay the progression of DNP.