Sulodexide for Kidney Protection in Type 2 Diabetes Patients With Microalbuminuria: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background Sulodexide, a heterogenous group of sulfated glycosaminoglycans, includes low-molecular-weight heparin (∼80% ± 8%), high-molecular-weight heparin (∼5% ± 3%), and dermatan (∼20% ± 8%), with a mean molecular weight of ∼9 kDa. The drug is absorbed orally and has no anticoagulant effect in the doses used. Small preliminary studies consistently showed sulodexide to be associated with decreased albuminuria in patients with diabetes. Study Design We conducted a multicenter placebo-controlled double-blinded study to determine the effect of sulodexide on urine albumin excretion in patients with type 2 diabetic nephropathy. Setting & Participants Patients with type 2 diabetes and urine albumin-creatinine ratios (ACRs) of 35-200 mg/g in men and 45-200 mg/g in women were enrolled. Serum creatinine level was