Effect of febuxostat on renal function in patients from South China with CKD3 diabetic nephropathy

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy and safety of febuxostat on renal function in CKD stage 3 diabetic nephropathy patients. METHODS: Patients in our hospital with chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 3 diabetic nephropathy (DN) complicated by high serum uric acid (360 µmol/L) were recruited. Patients were then divided into treatment group and control group according to the random number table method. All the patients received low purine diet, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) inhibitors, and adequate routine hypoglycemic treatment. Febuxostat was employed only in the treatment group. The levels of blood uric acid (sUA), serum creatinine (Scr), cystatin C (cys-c), eGFR, 24-hour urine protein quantification, albuminuria, and creatinine ratio (ACR) were evaluated in all patients before and after treatment at 4, 8, 12, and 24 week. RESULTS: No difference was found before treatment between the two groups. After treatment at 4, 8, 12, and 24 week, the levels of sUA, SCr, cys-c, and eGFR between the two groups were significant different (P<0.05). There was no difference in 24-hour urine protein quantification, albuminuria, and creatinine ratio between two groups before treatment, and significant differences were observed after treatment. Fifty percent of patients from the treatment group achieved the treatment goal with 20 mg febuxostat at 4 weeks. Tubular markers were also decreased with the treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Febuxostat can reduce uric acid and improve renal function effectively in patients with CKD stage 3 diabetic nephropathy, while being well tolerated. However, the conclusion is still uncertain due to the short term of the study.