The use of some glycosaminoglycans like sulodexide, low molecular weight heparin and low molecular weight dermatan sulfate and of the medicines by parenteral use that contain them in the treatment of patients suffering from chronic renal insufficiency subjected to peritoneal dialysis is described. The effectiveness of this use has been shown both by pharmacological studies carried out in nephrectomized rats to whom a peritoneal damage has been caused and by clinical studies carried out in patients suffering from chronic renal insufficiency subjected to CAPD and treated by intraperitoneal route (i.p.) with 2 ml vials of VESSEL DUE F.RTM. containing 50 mg of sulodexide. A significant increase of the peritoneal transports of urea and of creatinine joined to a significant decrease of the protein-loss in the peritoneal effluent has been observed. Significant changes of the ultrafiltration capacity and of haemorrhagic-coagulative complications have not been observed during the study.
The present invention provides oral formulations of Sulodexide for the treatment of diabetic nephropathy in patients with both insulin dependent and non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. Oral formulations containing doses adapted for administration to obtain a reduction in albumin excretion in patients with both micro and macro albuminuria and to produce lasting improvement in albumin excretion rate are provided. Methods of treating diabetic nephropathy using these formulations are also provided.
