Combination therapy with tranilast and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition provides additional renoprotection in the remnant kidney model.

Abstract

Despite current therapy with agents that block the renin-angiotensin system, renal dysfunction continues to progress in a significant proportion of patients with kidney disease. Several pre-clinical studies have reported beneficial effects of tranilast, an inhibitor of transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta's actions in a range of diseases that are characterized by fibrosis. However, whether such therapy provides additional benefits in renal disease, when added to angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition, has not been explored. We randomized subtotally (5/6) nephrectomized rats to receive vehicle, the ACE inhibitor, perindopril (6 mg/l), tranilast (400 mg/kg/day), or their combination f..