Pentoxifylline may protect kidney and heart health in diabetic nephropathy
Last updated June 1, 2026
Key finding
In adults with type 2 diabetes and advanced diabetic nephropathy, pentoxifylline lowered albuminuria and helped preserve kidney function and left ventricular mass compared with placebo.
This randomized trial tested pentoxifylline against placebo in adults with type 2 diabetes and advanced diabetic kidney disease. Over 12 months, pentoxifylline improved albuminuria, preserved estimated kidney filtration, and prevented worsening left ventricular mass, with no serious safety signal reported.
Quick read
Study at a glance
The essential study design details in one scan.
EvidenceScore™
Moderate
Study type
Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs)
Follow-up
Medium-Term (3–12 mo)
Risk of bias
Some Concerns
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Plain-language summary
What this paper says
A plain-language read of the study’s main message and where it applies.
Study focus
In adults with type 2 diabetes and advanced diabetic nephropathy, pentoxifylline lowered albuminuria and helped preserve kidney function and left ventricular mass compared with placebo.
Published in
Journal Reference
Publication details and source links for this paper.
Short- and Middle-Term Nephroprotective and Cardioprotective Effects of Pentoxifylline in Patients with Diabetic Nephropathy: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Med Sci (Basel). 2026;14(1):26. doi:10.3390/medsci14010026
Main Effects
↓ Albuminuria at 6 and 12 months compared with placebo
↑ Estimated glomerular filtration rate preservation at 12 months compared with placebo
↓ Left ventricular mass index worsening at 6 and 12 months compared with placebo
Evidence Suggest
- Microalbuminuria increased in placebo but decreased in the pentoxifylline group at 6 and 12 months.
- Estimated GFR declined more in placebo than with pentoxifylline, with the 12-month difference favoring pentoxifylline.
- Left ventricular mass index increased in placebo but stayed roughly stable in the pentoxifylline group.
Who this applies to
Adults with type 2 diabetes.
Keep in Mind
This was an exploratory trial using surrogate outcomes.
Between the Lines
- Per-protocol analysis may be less protective against bias than intention-to-treat analysis.
- Final analyzed sample was small, with 93 participants.
- Outcomes were surrogate kidney and cardiac markers, not dialysis, major cardiovascular events, or mortality.
- The trial was conducted in one health system, which may limit generalizability.
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