Effects of Angiotensin II Receptor Blocker on Proteinuria in Renal Transplant Recipients

Abstract

Introduction: Therapeutic approaches directed at reducing proteinuria are under development. The aim of the present study was to prospectively elucidate the impact of losartan treatment in renal transplant recipients with persistent proteinuria. Patients and Methods: Twenty-eight patients with persistent proteinuria or mild hypertension were assigned to receive losartan. Proteinuria was defined as a ratio of urinary protein to urinary creatinine (U_P/U_Cr) >0.5 in continual urinary tests in the outpatient setting. Results: All patients with mild hypertension reached target blood pressure (BP) with losartan treatment, but the change was not significant. In twelve patients with proteinuria before initiation of the study, urinary protein excretion was significantly reduced with treatment. No correlation was observed between reductions in proteinuria and mean BP. A significant decrease was identified in the hemoglobin concentration of patients with serum creatinine concentrations >2.0 mg/dl before the study. Discussion: Losartan efficiently reduces proteinuria in renal transplant recipients with adequate tolerance. Multicentric prospective studies are required to confirm its clinical effectiveness.