Pioglitazone enhances proteinuria reduction in complicated pediatric nephrotic syndrome.

Background: Nephrotic syndrome (NS) is a common pediatric kidney disease, yet current treatments for complicated NS are only partially effective and have significant toxicity. There is no Food and Drug Administration (FDA)- or European Medicines Agency (EMA)-approved safe and effective treatment for NS. Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) have been shown to reduce proteinuria in both diabetic and non-diabetic kidney disease and in preclinical studies to directly protect podocytes from injury and reduce proteinuria.