Pentoxifylline for renoprotection in diabetic nephropathy: the PREDIAN study. Rationale and basal results.

Statements Of The Problem: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is the main cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Renin-angiotensin system (RAS) blockade is the standard of care; however, a significant proportion of patients progress to ESRD. Pentoxifylline (PTF) possesses properties suggesting potential renoprotective efficacy.

Mineral metabolism and inflammation in chronic kidney disease patients: a cross-sectional study.

Background And Objectives: Mineral metabolism abnormalities and inflammation are concerns in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Interrelationships among these parameters have not been analyzed.

Design, Setting, Participants, And Measurements: The study included 133 patients with CKD not on dialysis and not receiving calcium (Ca) supplements, phosphate binders, or vitamin D.

Association of tumor necrosis factor-alpha with early target organ damage in newly diagnosed patients with essential hypertension.

Objectives: To investigate the relationship between inflammatory parameters [high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and urinary TNF-alpha] with subclinical cardiac and renal markers of early target organ damage (TOD) in essential hypertension.

Methods: Preclinical TOD [left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and microalbuminuria (MAB)] was evaluated in 40 newly diagnosed never-treated patients with essential hypertension. Serum and urinary TNF-alpha and hs-CRP were measured as inflammatory parameters.