RESUMEN
Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) are the most effective antiproteinuric agents and should be used as first-line drugs in both diabetic and non-diabetic proteinuric nephropathies. The role of calcium channel blockers (CCB) is much more controversial. In diabetic patients verapamil and diltiazem seem more effective than dihydropyridines in reducing urinary protein excretion, and have additive effects with ACEI, but little is available on chronic treatment of non-diabetic nephropathies for non-dihydropyridine CCBs. To test whether the combination of verapamil 180 mg or amlodipine 5 mg with trandolapril 2 mg reduces urinary protein excretion more than trandolapril 2 mg alone, we planned a prospective, randomized, double-blind, multicenter trial. The secondary aims are to evaluate the effects of both treatments on the selectivity of proteinuria and check their safety. Consecutive patients aged between 18 and 70 years with non-diabetic proteinuria > or =2 g/24 h and plasma creatinine < 3 mg/dl or creatinine clearance > or = 20 ml/min are asked to participate. After a four-week run-in during which previous antihypertensive therapy is withdrawn, a single dose of trandolapril 2 mg is given once a day in open conditions for four weeks. At the end of this period patients are randomly assigned to receive once a day, in a double blind fashion, either trandolapril 2 mg and verapamil 180 mg [plus a placebo], or trandolapril 2 mg plus amlodipine 5 mg. They are monitored after one, two, five and eight months.
Asunto(s)
Amlodipino/uso terapéutico , Inhibidores de la Enzima Convertidora de Angiotensina/uso terapéutico , Bloqueadores de los Canales de Calcio/uso terapéutico , Indoles/uso terapéutico , Enfermedades Renales/tratamiento farmacológico , Proteinuria/tratamiento farmacológico , Verapamilo/uso terapéutico , Adulto , Anciano , Método Doble Ciego , Quimioterapia Combinada , Humanos , Persona de Mediana Edad , Estudios Prospectivos , Proyectos de InvestigaciónRESUMEN
The treatment of mixed cryoglobulinemia concurrent with HCV infection is still under debate. We report the case of a patient referred to our unit for a membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis associated with HCV infection. A nephrotic syndrome and a slight reduction of glomerular filtration rate were present. We treated him with alpha-interferon for six months and prednisone for two months. We achieved a remission of the nephrotic syndrome without any significant reduction of the viral load. One year after the therapy had been suspended, the nephrotic syndrome relapsed and subsequently responded to a combined treatment with interferon ribavirin and prednisone. HCV-RNA became suddenly and persistently negative.