Diabetic Nephropathy clinical trials

Treatment of Diabetic Nephropathy

COX-2 is an enzyme that is found in several different tissues in the body. COX-2 appears to produce a substance called prostaglandins, mainly at sites of inflammation. Several drugs have been approved by the FDA that inhibit COX-2 such as celecoxib, or brand name Celebrex®. These drugs are primarily used in patients with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis to decrease inflammation and pain. COX-2 inhibitors have been developed because they are more selective in treatment of inflammation and pain and tend to have fewer gastrointestinal side effects than NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, etc. The normal adult kidney expresses COX-2 in various regions. Prostaglandins, which are produced in the kidney by COX-2, may contribute to glomerular and tubulointerstitial inflammatory diseases (types of kidney diseases due to inflammation). In some animal studies, COX-2 inhibitors have been shown to be potentially beneficial in reducing the amount of protein spilled in the urine and preserving kidney function with these inflammatory kidney diseases. This study will compare the effects of COX-2 inhibitor to placebo (an inactive substance) in patients with diabetic nephropathy (kidney disease due to diabetes) and proteinuria (spilling protein in the urine) on 24-hour urinary protein excretion. This study is designed to see whether COX-2 inhibitors are useful in treating diabetic patients with kidney disease. The purpose of this study is a short-term pilot study that will allow the gathering of important data such as the ability to carry out the study and carry it out safely. Subjects with proteinuria and diabetic kidney disease already on ACE (Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme) inhibitor or ARB (Angiotensin Receptor Blocker) therapy (types of blood pressure medicines) will be randomized to a type of study in which each subject will serve as their own control. The study is set up so that each subject will receive either the COX-2 inhibitor or placebo for a period followed by a period of no drug and then followed by a period of receiving either the COX-2 inhibitor or placebo (whichever they did not receive the first period).