Proteinuria and increased serum creatinine only
indicate a part of renal function. For example,
hemodialysis is needed in cases of cardiac failure or
unbalanced electrolytes even though creatinine is not
high. Therefore, to clarify the renoprotective effect of
probucol, we studied the mean interval to initiation of
hemodialysis and the cumulative hemodialysis-free
rate in advanced patients. The mean interval to
initiation of hemodialysis was longer in the probucol
group than in non-probucol group (Fig. 1). The
cumulative hemodialysis-free rate was also higher in
the probucol group (Fig. 2). These results indicated that probucol prevented the progression of diabetic
nephropathy in these patients.