Urinary Transforming Growth Factor-β Excretion in Patients With Hypertension, Type 2 Diabetes, and Elevated Albumin Excretion Rate Effects of angiotensin receptor blockade and sodium restriction

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) is a prosclerotic growth factor implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy. In addition to high glucose, other factors implicated in renal fibrosis and increased TGF-beta synthesis include angiotensin II and high dietary sodium intake. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of angiotensin receptor blockade (ARB) and dietary sodium restriction on the plasma concentration and urinary excretion of TGF-beta in hypertensive patients with type 2 diabetes and elevated albumin excretion rate (AER). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Twenty-one subjects with hypertension and AER between 10 and 200 microg/min were randomized to recei..