Telmisartan combined with probucol effectively reduces urinary protein in patients with type 2 diabetes: A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled multicenter clinical study†

Background Persistent proteinuriais an important factor contributing to the progression of diabetic nephropathy. The present randomized double-blind placebo-controlled multicenter clinical study evaluated the efficacy and safety of telmisartancombined with the antioxidant probucolin reducing urinary protein levels in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Methods Patients with T2D and 24-h proteinuria0.5–3 g were enrolled in the study and randomly assigned to one of two groups: a telmisartanor a probucol+ telmisartangroup. Both groups were given telmisartan80 mg q.d. for 48 weeks. The probucol+ telmisartangroup was given probucol500 mg b.i.d. for the first 24 weeks, with the dosage then reduced to 250 mg b.i.d. for the remaining 24 weeks. The telmisartangroup was given probucolplacebo. Results In all, 160 patients were enrolled in the present study. The 24-h proteinurialevels were significantly reduced in the probucol+ telmisartancompared with telmisartangroup. For patients with baseline 24-h proteinurialevels <1.0 g, both treatments resulted in significant reductions in 24-h proteinurialevels after 48 weeks treatment. However, in patients with baseline 24-h proteinurialevels ≥1.0 g, 24-h proteinurialevels after 48 weeks treatment were only reduced in the probucol+ telmisartangroup. There was no significant difference between the two groups for either adverse cardiovascular or other events. Conclusions In patients with diabetic nephropathy, probucolcombined with telmisartanmore effectively reduces urinary protein levels than telmisartanalone.