Pentoxifylline and kidney

Q: Pentoxifylline if used in patients with diabetic nephropathy tends to? (select one) 

A) help the kidney 

B) hurt the kidney 

Answer: A

 Pentoxifylline is commonly used in vascular patients with claudication. It has also been used in alcoholic hepatitis. Pentoxifylline is a putative anti-inflammatory agent. It is a nonspecific phosphodiesterase inhibitor. Pentoxifylline is found to help estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in patients with diabetic nephropathy. 

This is the added benefit with the use of standard management with either angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs). Pentoxifylline reduces the rate of eGFR decline in diabetic nephropathy. The dose is 600 mg twice daily.  As the evidence is not fully established, it has not yet become a standard of care.

#nephrology

References:

1. Navarro-González JF, Mora-Fernández C, Muros de Fuentes M, et al. Effect of pentoxifylline on renal function and urinary albumin excretion in patients with diabetic kidney disease: the PREDIAN trial. J Am Soc Nephrol 2015; 26:220. 

2. Perkins RM, Aboudara MC, Uy AL, et al. Effect of pentoxifylline on GFR decline in CKD: a pilot, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Am J Kidney Dis 2009; 53:606. 

3. Goicoechea M, García de Vinuesa S, Quiroga B, et al. Effects of pentoxifylline on inflammatory parameters in chronic kidney disease patients: a randomized trial. J Nephrol 2012; 25:969.