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The benefits of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin II (ATII) receptor antagonist therapy of diabetic nephropathy (DNP) are thought to be largely the result of attenuation of ATII effects on proteinuria. The aim of the study was to ascertain whether there is the additive anti-proteinuric effect of enalapril plus losartan in DNP. Twenty-two patients with DNP were studied. Patients were randomly assigned to enalapril 10 mg/day (11 patients) or losartan 50 mg/day (11 patients) administered in a single oral dose in the morning for 12 weeks. and then, in 10 patients (five patients from enalapril group and five patients from losartan group), combination therapy (10 mg/day enalapril and 50 mg/day losartan) was started and continued for 12 weeks. In 12 patients, initial drugs dosages were doubled (six patients 20 mg/day enalapril and six patients 100 mg/day losartan), and monotherapy was continued for 12 weeks. Blood pressure and proteinuria were measured before and after therapy. Adverse effects were recorded at every visit. Proteinuria decreased by 33% with enalapril and losartan administered alone (p < 0.05). Co-administration of enalapril and losartan decreased proteinuria by a greater extent compared with enalapril and losartan administered alone (51%, p<0.05). This proteinuria level was significantly lower than the proteinuria level of 12 weeks therapy with enalapril and losartan alone. The decrease of proteinuria was 37% in double-dose monotherapy group (p < 0.05). Reduction of mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) in co-administration of enalapril and losartan was higher than enalapril and losartan administered alone (p < 0.05). Combination of enalapril and losartan decreased proteinuria and MAP by a greater extent compared with enalapril and losartan administered alone. We have found that proteinuria reduction induced by combined therapy is maintained throughout short-term follow-up; a greater anti-proteinuric response was observed in the patients with DNP.

Patients with predialytic CKD substantially have sexual dysfunction. The most important factors that affect sexual dysfunction are age, hypertension, anxiety, and depression.

HELLP syndrome, a syndrome of hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelets may occur in pregnancy with pre-eclampsia/eclampsia, and its a significant complication is acute renal failure (ARF). The aim of study was to determine frequency and outcome of HELLP syndrome complicated by ARF. Thirty-nine patients with pregnancy-related ARF were treated between Jan 1, 1989 and Jan 1, 1999. In these patients, the most frequent causes were HELLP syndrome (n = 14; 36%), postpartum hemorrhage (n = 10; 26%), pre-eclampsia/eclampsia (n = 6; 15%) and abruptio placenta (n = 4; 10%). Seven of the patients with HELLP syndrome had impairment of consciousness during hospitalization. Of these patients, coma in 5, stupor in 1, confusion in 1 were diagnosed. Twelve of the patients with HELLP syndrome and 14 of the other patients were treated by dialysis. Mann-Whitney U test and chi2 test(corrected by Yates and Fisher exact) were used for statistical analysis. Although serious clinical findings, with supportive treatment, 12 patients with HELLP syndrome and 21 other patients were fully recovered. One patient both with and without HELLP syndrome could not recovered due to diffuse cortical necrosis. Moreover, one patient with HELLP syndrome and 3 other patients were died. Mortality rate of the patients with HELLP syndrome was not found different from those of the other patients (p = 0.544). The causes of death were cerebral hemorrhage in patient with HELLP syndrome and disseminated intravascular coagulation (n = 1), cerebral emboli (n = 1), adult respiratory distress syndrome (n = 1). Fetal death occurred in 4 patients with HELLP syndrome (28.5%) and 7 other patients (28%), and rates were similar (p > 0.5). Finally, HELLP syndrome was the most frequent cause leading to ARF in pregnancy and their prognosis was not different from those of the other patients.

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