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[The effect of trandolapril, in monotherapy and associated with verapamil, on arterial pressure, albuminuria, and metabolic control in hypertensive patients with type 2 diabetes and albuminuria].

The aim of this study was to analyse the effect of the ACE-1, Trandolapril, alone or with Verapamil on blood pressure, albuminuria and metabolic profile in type 2 diabetic patients with hypertension and albuminuria. It was an open multicenter, consecutive and prospective study conducted in 281 patients. There was a four-week wash-out period of antihypertensive drugs, after which we carried out a measurement over a 24-h period of the urinary excretion of albumina (UEA). Blood pressure was recorded after at least 5 minutes of rest in the sitting position at 1 to 3 minute intervals with a mercury sphygmomanometer in good condition. Average BP was obtained from three consecutive readings. Within treatment changes were analysed using descriptive statistics and t-tests on the change from baseline. Analysis of variance, chi-square and Mc Nemar tests were also used. If after 8 weeks of treatment with Trandolapril 2 mg o.q.d. the patients were non-responders (mean blood pressure reduction of 5 mmHg or less) or their blood pressure remained uncontrolled (blood pressure > or = 140/90 mmHg), Verapamil 180 mg o.q.d. was added. Two hundred and thirty patients completed the 12 weeks study. Population included 157 (55.9%) males with an average of 61.7 +/- 9.2 years. Baseline measurements were systolic 165.4 +/- 14.6 and diastolic 94.8 +/- 8.5 mmHg blood pressures, fasting glucose 162.7 +/- 43.9 mg/dL, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbAlc) 6.8 +/- 1.2%, and albuminuria 520.9 +/- 602 mg/day. UEA fell significantly (p < 0.001) after treatment to 177.9 +/- 24.3 mg/day (CI 95%, 129.9 to 225.8). The percent reduction reached 29.6%. Albuminuria was lower than 30 mg/day in 47 patients. Blood pressure was completely controlled in 125 (54%) patients. Glucemia fell significantly (p < 0.001) to 153.2 +/- 42.7 mg/dL, and the HbAlc to 6.5 +/- 1.3% (p = 0.012). In summary, in those diabetic type 2 patients with arterial hypertension and proteinuria, Trandolapril alone or associated with Verapamil significant lowered albuminuria and blood pressure facilitated the control or their metabolic profile.

Albuminuria↗

Effect of low-dose perindopril/indapamide on albuminuria in diabetes: preterax in albuminuria regression: PREMIER.

Microalbuminuria in diabetes is a risk factor for early death and an indicator for aggressive blood pressure (BP) lowering. We compared a combination of 2 mg perindopril/0.625 mg indapamide with enalapril monotherapy on albumin excretion rate (AER) in patients with type 2 diabetes, albuminuria, and hypertension in a 12-month, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group international multicenter study. Four hundred eighty-one patients with type 2 diabetes and hypertension (systolic BP > or =140 mm Hg, <180 mm Hg, diastolic BP <110 mm Hg) were randomly assigned (age 59+/-9 years, 77% previously treated for hypertension). Results from 457 patients (intention-to-treat analysis) were available. After a 4-week placebo period, patients with albuminuria >20 and <500 microg/min were randomly assigned to a combination of 2 mg perindopril/0.625 mg indapamide or to 10 mg daily enalapril. After week 12, doses were adjusted on the basis of BP to a maximum of 8 mg perindopril/2.5 mg indapamide or 40 mg enalapril. The main outcome measures were overnight AER and supine BP. Both treatments reduced BP. Perindopril/indapamide treatment resulted in a statistically significant higher fall in both BP (-3.0 [95% CI -5.6, -0.4], P=0.012; systolic BP -1.5 [95% CI -3.0, -0.1] diastolic BP P=0.019) and AER -42% (95% CI -50%, -33%) versus -27% (95% CI -37%, -16%) with enalapril. The greater AER reduction remained significant after adjustment for mean BP. Adverse events were similar in the 2 groups. Thus, first-line treatment with low-dose combination perindopril/indapamide induces a greater decrease in albuminuria than enalapril, partially independent of BP reduction. A BP-independent effect of the combination may increase renal protection.

Adult↗

Rapid immunochromatographic strip test for the detection of albuminuria and brief literature review on albuminuria screening.

Albuminuria is a powerful predictor of cardiovascular events in diabetic and hypertensive patients as well as in the general population. In the present study we evaluated the diagnostic performance of the new PreventID Albumin test, a semi-quantitative immunochromatographic dipstick device for the rapid detection of low concentrations of urinary albumin (microalbuminuria). 88 randomly selected fresh urine samples from the central clinical laboratory of the Charité, Berlin/Germany were analysed. The diagnostic accuracy of the PreventID Albumin test for the detection of urinary albumin excretion >18 mg/l was assessed by comparing the results with urinary albumin excretion determined by immunoturbidimetry as golden standard. In comparison with immunoturbidimetry the PreventID Albumin test had a sensitivity of 96.2% and specificity of 97.1%. False negative results were found in 2.3% and false positive results were obtained in 1.1% of specimens. These findings suggest that the PreventID Albumin test may be a useful and valid method for the screening of albuminuria. However, it should not be regarded as a diagnostic test. Positive results should be followed by quantification of urinary albumin or albumin/creatinine ratio by a laboratory based method.

Adolescent↗

A major gene locus links early onset albuminuria with renal interstitial fibrosis in the MWF rat with polygenetic albuminuria.

The development of renal interstitial fibrosis (RIF) represents an important step in the progression of chronic proteinuric nephropathies. The Munich Wistar Frömter (MWF) rat represents a valuable model to study the progression in proteinuric renal disease. MWF animals demonstrate a significant increase of urinary albumin excretion (UAE) and RIF compared with the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) with low UAE. The aim of this study was to analyze the genetic basis and the relation between UAE and RIF by genetic linkage and quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping analysis. The authors generated a backcross population between MWF and SHR including 215 male animals. UAE was determined in young backcross animals at 8 wk, and at 14 and 24 wk of age, respectively. RIF was evaluated by Sirius red staining of kidney sections and quantified by computer-assisted image analysis at 24 wk. Total genome scan analysis identified in total eight QTL linked to UAE and a major locus on chromosome 6. At this locus, homozygosity for the MWF allele exhibited a strong effect on UAE levels (threefold elevation) and displayed significant linkage already at 8 wk (logarithm of odds [LOD] = 4.3) with increasing significance at 14 and 24 wk (LOD = 7.8 and 10.1, respectively). In addition, this was the only QTL that was linked to the amount of RIF (P = 0.0009, LOD = 2.4). These data establish a genetic link between early onset albuminuria and progression of RIF at the QTL on RNO6. This study demonstrates the power of genetic linkage analysis for the dissection of physiologic pathways involved in renal disease progression.

Albuminuria↗

Renal structural changes in insulin-dependent diabetic patients with albuminuria. Comparison of cases with onset of albuminuria after short or long duration.

The large interindividual variation in diabetes duration until the onset of nephropathy is partly unexplained. This study was performed to compare renal structure in insulin-dependent (IDDM) patients who had developed signs of nephropathy after a short or long duration of diabetes. Renal biopsies were obtained from 17 IDDM patients, with albumin excretion rate 20-300 microg/min and normal blood pressure. Six patients had <25 years duration ("short-term", early onset of microalbuminuria) and eight patients had duration >30 years ("long-term", late onset of microalbuminuria). Biopsies were obtained 18 months after entry into a study testing the effect of low-dose antihypertensives. Parameters characterizing diabetic glomerulopathy were significantly increased in IDDM patients compared with those in 17 living donors: Basement membrane thickness, mean and (CV): 591 nm (0.17) vs 320 nm (0.12), mesangial volume fraction per glomerulus 0.27 (0.19) vs 0.19 (0.10), matrix volume fraction per glomerulus 0.16 (0.20) vs 0.097 (0.22), matrix star volume 38.5 microm3 (0.43) vs 13.9 microm3 (0.31), (p<10(-4) for each). Comparison of short vs long-term patients showed no significant differences in glomerulopathy parameters, glomerular volume or extracellular material per glomerulus, whereas the fraction of occluded glomeruli was significantly increased in long-term patients. A close correlation obtained between fraction of occluded glomeruli and glomerular filtration rate (r=0.72, p= 0.001). Glomerular occlusion occurred unrelated to the severity of diabetic glomerulopathy. It is suggested that diabetic macroangiopathy and arteriolar hyalinization may play an important role in the renal function of patients with slow development of nephropathy.

Adult↗

Improved survival in patients obtaining remission of nephrotic range albuminuria in diabetic nephropathy.

BACKGROUND: The level of albuminuria is related to progression of diabetic nephropathy, and patients with nephrotic range albuminuria have advanced renal structural changes and the fastest decline in glomerular filtration rate (GFR). We have previously demonstrated that the rate of decline in GFR is diminished in patients obtaining remission of nephrotic range albuminuria, but information is scarce concerning the impact of remission of nephrotic range albuminuria on the long-term prognosis. METHODS: At the Steno Diabetes Center, we performed a prospective cohort study of all type 1 diabetic patients with nephrotic range albuminuria (N= 125), who had annual measurement of GFR [(51)chromium-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid ((51)Cr-EDTA) plasma clearance] carried out for at least 3 years. Patients were followed from onset of nephrotic range albuminuria until death or the end of year 2003. Nephrotic range albuminuria was defined as persistent albuminuria above 2.5 g/24 hours, remission of nephrotic range albuminuria was defined as sustained albuminuria <0.6 g/24 hours for at least 1 year. RESULTS: Nephrotic range albuminuria occurred in 90 men and 35 women, age [mean (SD)] 34 (8) years, duration of diabetes 22 (8) years, and follow-up time from onset of nephrotic range albuminuria [median (range)] 12.4 (3.0 to 24.9) years. Remission was induced in 32 patients (26%), 25 predominantly treated with angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, seven with non-ACE inhibitors. The remission lasted 5.5 (1.0 to 22.4) years. At the end of follow-up, 25% in the remission group and 74% in the no remission group had reached the composite end point of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) (dialysis, transplantation) or death. A Cox proportional hazard regression analysis with gender and age as fixed covariates and remission as time-dependent covariate revealed that obtaining remission was associated with a lower risk of dialysis, transplantation, or death, relative risk (95% CI) 0.28 (0.13 to 0.59), P= 0.001, whereas older age at onset of nephrotic range albuminuria (per 10-year increase) was associated with higher risk of reaching the end point, 1.42 (1.08 to 1.87), P= 0.01. CONCLUSION: Our prospective study suggests that remission of nephrotic range albuminuria in type 1 diabetic patients, induced by aggressive antihypertensive treatment with and without ACE inhibitors, is associated with a slower progression in diabetic nephropathy and a substantially improved survival.

Adult↗

Podocyte changes upon induction of albuminuria in Thy-1.1 transgenic mice.

BACKGROUND: Thy-1.1 transgenic mice, characterized by ectopic expression of the Thy-1.1 protein on podocytes, spontaneously develop proteinuria and focal glomerulosclerosis (FGS). Injection of a monoclonal antibody (mAb) directed against the Thy-1.1 protein in young transgenic mice induces a massive albuminuria that is followed by an accelerated FGS within 3 weeks. This albuminuria is complement and leukocyte independent. The time course of proteinuria, the pathogenesis of the acute proteinuria and the dose dependency of FGS are unknown. METHODS: Albuminuria was measured in Thy-1.1 transgenic mice after injection of different doses of anti-Thy-1.1 mAb and at different time points within the first 24 h after injection. Podocytic foot processes and slit pore diameter were quantitated by electron microscopy. Changes in expression of slit pore constituents (podocin, CD2AP, nephrin and ZO-1), cytoskeleton-associated proteins (actin, alpha-actinin, ezrin and synaptopodin), the GDH-podocyte adhesion molecules alpha(3)-integrin, and heparan sulfate were studied by immunofluorescence. FGS was scored by light microscopy at 3 weeks after induction of albuminuria. RESULTS: Albuminuria in Thy-1.1 transgenic mice was observed within 10 min after anti-Thy-1.1 mAb injection. This rapid development of albuminuria was accompanied by a reduction in number of podocytic foot processes from 20.0 +/- 0.7/10 microm glomerular basement membrane (GBM) in saline-treated transgenic mice to 8.0 +/- 0.5 and 2.2 +/- 0.2 in anti-Thy-1.1-treated mice, at 10 min and 8 h after treatment, respectively. In addition, we observed a significant decrease in width of remaining slit pores, from 32.7 +/- 1.1 to 26.8 +/- 1.4 nm at 10 min after mAb injection. By immunofluorescence, we did not observe major changes in the expression pattern of any of the proteins studied. There was no correlation between the injected dose of the anti-Thy-1.1 mAb and the acute albuminuria. In contrast, the percentage of FGS at 3 weeks correlated with the dose, and a significant correlation between the percentage of FGS and the time-averaged albuminuria over the 3 week study period (P < 0.001) was found. CONCLUSION: Injection of mAb directed against the Thy-1.1 protein, in young non-albuminuric Thy-1.1 transgenic mice, induced an acute albuminuria within 10 min, which was accompanied by foot process effacement. Notably, we observed a decrease in slit pore width although the expression of slit pore proteins was unchanged. Also, the acute albuminuria could not be related to alterations in cytoskeleton-associated proteins, the GBM adhesion molecule alpha(3)-integrin or heparan sulfate in the GBM. The dose-dependent development of FGS and the correlation between the percentage FGS and time-averaged albuminuria suggest that, in our model, FGS is a consequence of podocyte injury. However, the data leave open the possibility that albuminuria itself contributes to FGS development. The Thy-1.1 transgenic mouse model is an excellent model to study further the relationship between podocytic injury, albuminuria and the development of FGS.

Albuminuria↗

Albuminuria, a therapeutic target for cardiovascular protection in type 2 diabetic patients with nephropathy.

BACKGROUND: Albuminuria is an established risk marker for both cardiovascular and renal outcomes. Albuminuria can be reduced with drugs that block the renin-angiotensin system (RAS). We questioned whether the short-term drug-induced change in albuminuria would predict the long-term cardioprotective efficacy of RAS intervention. METHODS AND RESULTS: We analyzed data from Reduction in Endpoints in Non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus with the Angiotensin II Antagonist Losartan (RENAAL), a double-blind, randomized trial in 1513 type 2 diabetic patients with nephropathy, focusing on the relationship between the prespecified cardiovascular end point (composite) or hospitalization for heart failure and baseline or reduction in albuminuria. Patients with high baseline albuminuria (> or =3 g/g creatinine) had a 1.92-fold (95% CI, 1.54 to 2.38) higher risk for the cardiovascular end point and a 2.70-fold (95% CI, 1.94 to 3.75) higher risk for heart failure compared with patients with low albuminuria (<1.5 g/g). Among all available baseline risk markers, albuminuria was the strongest predictor of cardiovascular outcome. The association between albuminuria and cardiovascular outcome was driven by those patients who also had a renal event. Modeling of the initial 6-month change in risk parameters showed that albuminuria reduction was the only predictor for cardiovascular outcome: 18% reduction in cardiovascular risk for every 50% reduction in albuminuria and a 27% reduction in heart failure risk for every 50% reduction in albuminuria. CONCLUSIONS: Albuminuria is an important factor predicting cardiovascular risk in patients with type 2 diabetic nephropathy. Reducing albuminuria in the first 6 months appears to afford cardiovascular protection in these patients.

Aged↗

Association of albuminuria with systolic and diastolic left ventricular dysfunction in type 2 diabetes: the Strong Heart Study.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to compare systolic and diastolic function in American Indians with diabetes mellitus (DM) based on albuminuria status. BACKGROUND: Albuminuria has been shown to predict cardiovascular disease (CVD) in populations with DM. However, the mechanism of the association of albuminuria and CVD is unclear. METHODS: We compared echo-derived indices of left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic function in three groups of American Indians with DM based on albuminuria status: I = no albuminuria (<30 mg albumin/g creatinine); II = microalbuminuria (30 to 300 mg/g); and III = macroalbuminuria (>300 mg/g). RESULTS: Group II and III were slightly older than Group I with no significant gender difference between groups. Systolic blood pressure increased and body mass index decreased from Group I to Group III. Left ventricular systolic function was lower in the groups with albuminuria with step-wise decreases in ejection fraction and stress-corrected midwall shortening (MWS) from Group I to Group III. Similar findings were noted in diastolic LV filling with lower mitral E/A ratios and longer deceleration times in groups with albuminuria. The proportion of participants with abnormal MWS and abnormal LV diastolic relaxation showed step-wise increases from no albuminuria to macroalbuminuria. In multivariate analysis, albuminuria status remained independently associated with both systolic and diastolic dysfunction after adjusting for age, gender, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, duration of diabetes, coronary artery disease, and LV mass. CONCLUSIONS: Albuminuria is independently associated with LV systolic and diastolic dysfunction in type 2 DM; this may explain in part the relationship of albuminuria to increased cardiovascular (CV) events in the DM population. Screening for albuminuria identifies individuals with high CV risk and possible cardiac dysfunction.

Aged↗

Podocyte changes after induction of acute albuminuria in mice by anti-aminopeptidase A mAb.

Administration of a specific combination of anti-aminopeptidase A (APA) mAb (ASD-37/41) in mice induces an acute albuminuria which is independent of angiotensin II, a well-known substrate of APA. In the present experiments, we examined whether binding of the mAb initiated changes in the podocytic expression of cytoskeleton (-associated), adhesion and slit-diaphragm proteins in relation to the time course of albuminuria. In addition, we measured ultrastructurally the extent of foot process retraction (the number of foot processes per microm GBM) and the width of the slit pore between the podocytes by morphometric methods. An injection of the mAb combination ASD-37/41 induced a massive but transient albuminuria that started at 6 h, and peaked at 8 h, after which it declined. However, even at day 7 after injection of the mAbs some albuminuria was present. Injection of the combination ASD-3/41 or saline did not induce an albuminuria. Notably, we observed changes in the staining of CD2AP and podocin, two slit-pore-associated proteins that coincided with the start of the albuminuria. Nephrin staining was reduced and podocytic actin staining became more granular only at a time albuminuria was declining (24 h). The number of foot processes per microm GBM was already decreased at 4 h with a further reduction thereafter. The width of the slit pore was unchanged at the time of peak albuminuria and gradually decreased thereafter. At day 7, podocytic foot process effacement was even more prominent although albuminuria was only slightly abnormal. Expression of CD2AP was still granular. We observed however a change toward normal in the expression of podocin. Injection of saline or ASD-3/41 had no effect on the expression of podocytic proteins, the number of foot processes or width of the slit pore. Our data show that the onset of albuminuria in the anti-APA model is related to alterations in CD2AP and podocin, proteins that are important for maintaining slit-diaphragm structure and podocytic function. Extended studies at day 7 demonstrated uncoupling of albuminuria, podocytic foot process effacement and CD2AP staining. Changes in podocin more closely paralleled changes in albuminuria.

Acute Disease↗

Renal function in proteinuric glomerular diseases correlates to the changes in urine IgM excretion but not to the changes in the degree of albuminuria.

UNLABELLED: Renal function in proteinuric glomerular diseases correlates to the changes in urine IgM but not to the changes in the degree of albuminuria. BACKGROUND: Albuminuria is believed to correlate to the progression of renal failure in glomerular diseases. Nevertheless, many patients with glomerular disorders maintain their renal function despite persistent albuminuria. In previous studies, we found that the baseline urine excretion of IgM, rather than the degree of albuminuria, predicts the renal outcome in glomerulopathies. In the present study, we examine correlations between changes in the content and in the amount of urine proteins and renal survival during a follow-up time of 3.5 years. METHODS: An observational study of a mean of 44 (+/- 3.6) months was conducted in 37 proteinuric patients (21 males and 16 females) with biopsy-verified primary glomerular disease. The patients were subdivided, according to the findings at the end of the study, into 3 groups, 1 group with decreasing albuminuria (by more than 50%), 1 group with persisting albuminuria and low (< 0.04 mg/mmol creatinine) urinary IgM excretion and 1 group with persisting albuminuria and with high (> or = 0.04 mg/mmol) urinary IgM excretion. RESULTS: All patients that showed remission of albuminuria had also low IgM excretion at the end of the study. All these patients, except 1, maintained their renal function. Patients with persistent albuminuria and high urinary IgM excretion showed a decrease in the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of a mean of 9.6 ml/min/year compared to a mean GFR increase by 1.5 ml/min/year in patients with low IgM excretion and the same degree of albuminuria (p < 0.01). Seven out of the 9 patients in the former group fall in GFR by more than 5 ml/min/year compared to only 1 of the 10 patients in the latter group. Furthermore, the GFR alterations that occurred during follow-up time correlated in a higher degree to the changes in urinary IgM excretion (r = 0.6, p < 0.01) than to the changes in the degree of albuminuria, (r = 0.4, p < 0.05). A stepwise regression analysis indicated that increased urine IgM excretion is a strong predictor of the GFR decline (r = 0.73, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: High urinary IgM excretion correlates to decreased GFR in primary glomerular diseases regardless of the degree of albuminuria. In parallel, low urinary IgM excretion indicates beneficial prognosis in these diseases. Since IgM passes the glomerular barrier entirely through large shunts or defects in the glomerular capillary wall, decreased urine content of IgM might be considered as a sign of recovery in the glomerular damage.

Albuminuria↗

Antibody-induced albuminuria and accelerated focal glomerulosclerosis in the Thy-1.1 transgenic mouse.

BACKGROUND: Podocytes play an important role in the development of proteinuria and focal glomerulosclerosis. Previously we have demonstrated that a combination of two monoclonal antibodies (mAb) against aminopeptidase A (APA), an enzyme present on podocytes, induces a massive acute albuminuria in mice. The present study examined the relationship between the acute antibody-induced albuminuria and the development of focal glomerulosclerosis in the Thy-1.1 transgenic mouse. This mouse expresses a hybrid human-mouse Thy-1.1 antigen on the podocytes, and slowly but spontaneously develops albuminuria and focal glomerulosclerosis. METHODS: Five-week-old non-albuminuric Thy-1.1 transgenic and non-transgenic control mice were injected with anti-APA and anti-Thy-1.1 mAb or saline. Albuminuria was measured at days 1, 7, 14 and 21. At day 21 kidneys were processed for light microscopy, immunofluorescence, and electron microscopy. RESULTS: Injection of anti-APA and anti-Thy1.1 mAb in Thy-1.1 transgenic mice induced an albuminuria at day 1 that persisted at day 21. The acute albuminuria after injection of anti-APA mAb was more prominent but transient in non-transgenic mice. In non-trangenic mice no albuminuria could be induced with anti-Thy 1.1 mAb. Light microscopy revealed normal glomeruli at day 1 in all transgenic mice, however, at day 21 advanced glomerulosclerotic lesions were seen in mice injected with either anti-APA mAb (37+/-19% of glomeruli affected) or anti-Thy-1.1 mAb (71+/-5%). Non-transgenic mice did not reveal sclerotic lesions at any time investigated. In the transgenic mice the percentage of focal glomerulosclerosis at day 21 did not correlate with albuminuria at day 21. However, we found a highly significant correlation between percentage of focal glomerulosclerosis and the time-averaged albuminuria over the three-week study period (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Injection of a combination of anti-APA or anti-Thy-1.1 mAb into one mo old, non-albuminuric Thy-1.1 transgenic mice induces an acute albuminuria at day 1 that is accompanied by an accelerated focal glomerulosclerosis at day 21. We suggest that the Thy-1.1 transgenic mouse is an excellent model to study specifically the relation between podocytic injury, albuminuria and the development of focal glomerulosclerosis.

Albuminuria↗

Higher levels of HDL cholesterol are associated with a decreased likelihood of albuminuria in patients with long-standing type 1 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine whether high levels of HDL cholesterol are associated with a lower prevalence of albuminuria RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We analyzed the lipid profiles of patients with type 1 diabetes of > or = 20 years duration in 42 patients with albuminuria (28 microalbuminuria and 14 macroalbuminuria) and 65 patients without increased albumin excretion before any interventions with either statins or ACE inhibitors. RESULTS: Several characteristics were similar in the two groups: sex, age, duration of diabetes, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides. By univariate analysis, significant differences (P < 0.01) were found in HDL cholesterol (albuminuria 1.42 mg/dl, no albuminuria 1.71 mg/dl, P < 0.01), HbA1c (A1C) (albuminuria 8.5%, no albuminuria 7.5%), and proportions with no, background, and proliferative retinopathy (albuminuria 2.4, 16.7, and 81%; no albuminuria 24.6, 52.3, and 23.1%, respectively). When adjusted for age and sex, a 0.26-mmol/l (10-mg/dl) increase in HDL cholesterol is associated with an odds ratio (OR) of 0.70 (95% CI 0.54-0.90) for having albuminuria. In a multivariate model that adjusted for age, sex, diabetes duration, and A1C, for every 0.54-mmol/l (21-mg/dl) increase in HDL cholesterol, patients are approximately half (OR 0.51 [95% CI 0.30-0.86]) as likely to have albuminuria, even after controlling for A1C. CONCLUSIONS: Higher HDL cholesterol levels may be protective against the development of albuminuria in patients with type 1 diabetes. Whether this is due to the HDL cholesterol levels or whether they serve as a marker for some other mechanism remains to be determined.

Adult↗

Does albuminuria predict cardiovascular outcome on treatment with losartan versus atenolol in hypertension with left ventricular hypertrophy? A LIFE substudy.

OBJECTIVES: To examine a possible relationship between baseline albuminuria and effect of losartan versus atenolol on cardiovascular (CV) events in hypertensive patients with left ventricular hypertrophy, the effect of losartan versus atenolol on albuminuria, and whether the benefits of losartan versus atenolol could be explained by influence of losartan on albuminuria. DESIGN: Double-blind, randomized, controlled trial of 4.8 years. SETTING: Out-patient setting. PATIENTS: A total of 8206 with hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy. INTERVENTIONS: Losartan or atenolol, supplemented with diuretics and/or calcium antagonists to reach blood pressure < 140/90 mmHg MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The urine albumin/creatinine ratio, and the primary composite endpoint (CEP) of CV death, myocardial infarction, and stroke. RESULTS: The blood pressure was reduced similarly on losartan (30.2/16.6 mmHg) versus atenolol (29.1/16.8 mmHg). The risk of a primary CEP increased linearly from the lowest to the highest decile of baseline albuminuria. The benefits of losartan versus atenolol for the primary CEP and for stroke tended to be more pronounced among patients above the median value for baseline albuminuria (urine albumin/creatinine ratio, 1.28 mg/mmol). The decrease in albuminuria was significantly greater with losartan versus atenolol throughout the study (a decrease from baseline to year 2 of 33% losartan versus 25% atenolol). One-fifth of the difference in favor of losartan on the primary CEP was explained by the greater reduction in albuminuria on losartan. CONCLUSIONS: Baseline albuminuria is a powerful risk factor for CV events. Baseline albuminuria did not identify the group of patients with greatest benefit on losartan versus atenolol in LIFE. Reduction in albuminuria explained one-fifth of the benefits of losartan versus atenolol.

Aged↗

Serum homocysteine levels are associated with the development of (micro)albuminuria: the Hoorn study.

Microalbuminuria is a strong indicator of the risk of future cardiovascular disease and renal dysfunction. Slightly increased levels of homocysteine, an independent risk factor for atherothrombotic disease, have recently been found to be associated with the presence of (micro)albuminuria. However, it is unknown whether increased homocysteine levels precede the occurrence of (micro)albuminuria. Normoalbuminuric subjects (n=316, 66 with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus [NIDDM]) of an age-stratified, sex-stratified, and glucose tolerance-stratified sample of a population-based cohort study were investigated at baseline and after a mean follow-up duration of 6.1 years. Development of (micro)albuminuria was defined as a mean albumin-to-creatinine ratio >2.0 mg/mmol at the follow-up examination. The cumulative incidence of (micro)albuminuria was 14. 0% (9.7 % to 18.3%) among nondiabetic subjects and 22.7% (12.9% to 32.5%) among NIDDM patients. Age-adjusted, sex-adjusted, and glucose tolerance status-adjusted logistic regression analyses showed development of (micro)albuminuria to be significantly associated with baseline homocysteine levels >19.0 micromol/L compared with homocysteine levels <9.1 micromol/L (odds ratio [OR] 5.1, 95% CI 1.1 to 23.0). For homocysteine levels of 9.1 to 14.0 micromol/L and 14.1 to 19.0 micromol/L, the values were OR 1.2 (95% CI 0.5 to 3.0) and OR 1.8 (95% CI 0.6 to 5.3), respectively. Additional adjustment for baseline insulin resistance, blood pressure, body mass index, presence of cardiovascular disease and retinopathy, current smoking, or estimates of glomerular filtration rate did not materially affect the results. Substituting homocysteine levels as a continuous variable for categories of homocysteine levels showed that a 5-micromol/L increase of the homocysteine level was associated with an increased risk of developing (micro)albuminuria (OR 1.38, 95% CI 0.97 to 1.95). Analyses performed in nondiabetic and diabetic subjects separately gave similar results among nondiabetic subjects. Among diabetic subjects, the association between homocysteine level and (micro)albuminuria could not be estimated, because there was an insufficient number of diabetic subjects with high homocysteine levels. Hyperhomocysteinemia is an independent determinant of the development of (micro)albuminuria among nondiabetic subjects, even after adjustment for estimates of glomerular filtration rate. We could neither confirm nor reject an association between homocysteine levels and the development of (micro)albuminuria among NIDDM subjects. These data suggest that homocysteine may play a pathophysiological role in the development of (micro)albuminuria.

Age Factors↗