Hydrochloride pioglitazone decreases urinary TGF-beta1 excretion in type 2 diabetics

Abstract

Background: Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) exert a number of direct reno-protection beyond its hypoglycaemic effect in type 2 diabetics, which may be partly related to its anti-fibrosis and anti- inflammatory action.

Materials and methods: A total of 98 type 2 diabetics with fasting blood glucose (FBG) between 7.0 and 13.0 mmol L(-1) and glycated haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) > or = 7.0% were randomly assigned to add pioglitazone (group DP) or sulfonylurea (group DS) for 12 weeks. FBG, HbA1c, serum creatinine (SCr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and urinary TGF-beta1, albumin (UALB) and creatinine (UCr) were determined at the basal and the 12th week.

Results: Fasting blood glucose, HbA1c and urinary TGF-beta1/UCr ratio (UTCR) were obviously decreased in both groups after 12 weeks treatment; UALB/UCr ratio (UACR) decreased obviously in group DP (P < 0.01), while slightly in group DS. UACR and UTCR in group DP were significantly lower than those in group DS after treatment, while FBG and HbA1c had no statistical differences between the two groups. In addition, UTCR had positive correlation with UACR (r = 0.367, P < 0.01).

Conclusions: Pioglitazone decreases urinary TGF-beta1 excretion in type 2 diabetics, which may be partly contributed to its direct reno-protection.