enalaprilat-anhydrous and Diabetic-Nephropathies

Therapies that restore renal cGMP levels are hypothesized to slow the progression of diabetic nephropathy. We investigated the effect of BI 703704, a soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) activator, on disease progression in obese ZSF1 rats. BI 703704 was administered at doses of 0.3, 1, 3, and 10 mg/kg/d to male ZSF1 rats for 15 weeks, during which mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), and urinary protein excretion (UPE) were determined. Histologic assessment of glomerular and interstitial lesions was also performed. Renal cGMP levels were quantified as an indicator of target modulation. BI 703704 resulted in sGC activation, as evidenced by dose-dependent increases in renal cGMP levels. After 15 weeks of treatment, sGC activation resulted in dose-dependent decreases in UPE (from 463 ± 58 mg/d in vehicle controls to 328 ± 55, 348 ± 23, 283 ± 45, and 108 ± 23 mg/d in BI 703704-treated rats at 0.3, 1, 3, and 10 mg/kg, respectively). These effects were accompanied by a significant reduction in the incidence of glomerulosclerosis and interstitial lesions. Decreases in MAP and increases in HR were only observed at the high dose of BI 703704. These results are the first demonstration of renal protection with sGC activation in a nephropathy model induced by type 2 diabetes. Importantly, beneficial effects were observed at doses that did not significantly alter MAP and HR.

Topics: Animals; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Diabetic Nephropathies; Disease Progression; Enalaprilat; Enzyme Activators; Guanylate Cyclase; Male; Rats; Rats, Zucker; Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear; Soluble Guanylyl Cyclase

Early antihypertensive treatment with beta1 blockers and diuretics has proved to delay progression in diabetic nephropathy. Application of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-I) may also be relevant. To elucidate possible differences in acute renal response to ACE-I and beta-blockers, kidney function was investigated before and after enalaprilat (10 mg) and metoprolol (10 mg) i.v. in 8 microalbuminuric insulin-dependent diabetic patients on no antihypertensive therapy (Study A). Glomerular filtration rate (clearance of 125I-iothalamate) was unchanged with both agents. ACE-I gave rise to efferent renal vasodilation: renal resistance and filtration fraction fell, renal plasma flow (RPF; 131I-hippuran) tended to rise (2p = 0.07) and blood pressure and urinary albumin excretion rate (UAE; radioimmunoassay) were reduced. In contrast, metoprolol caused a decline in RPF, an increase in renal resistance and filtration fraction, and no change in blood pressure or UAE. In 10 diabetic, nephropathic patients undergoing treatment with metoprolol and thiazide (Study B), the acute response to enalaprilat corresponded closely to that observed in Study A, including a decrease in UAE and blood pressure. Over 6 months the addition of enalapril (20 mg/d) to metoprolol and thiazide produced a more pronounced UAE-reduction, although no significant decrease in blood pressure was observed. The present findings support that ACE-I may process specific renoprotective effects. A combination therapy with beta1 blockers, ACE-I, and diuretics is suggested.

Topics: Adult; Albuminuria; Blood Pressure; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1; Diabetic Nephropathies; Drug Therapy, Combination; Enalaprilat; Female; Glomerular Filtration Rate; Hemodynamics; Humans; Hypertension; Kidney; Male; Metoprolol; Middle Aged; Natriuresis; Renal Circulation; Vascular Resistance