Objective: To compare the renoprotective effects of the calcium channel blocker (CCB) benidipine (CAS 105979-17-7) and the angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) valsartan (CAS 137862-53-4) in primary hypertensive patients with proteinuria.
Methods: 236 patients with primary hypertension were randomly divided into different groups and were administered either benidipine or valsartan. The alterations of the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and proteinuria were compared between the different groups.
Results: Valsartan could decrease the level of proteinuria significantly as compared with that in benidipine-treated hypertensive patients with proteinuria at levels <1 g/24 h (P < 0.01). There was no significant difference of the effects of benidipine and valsartan on proteinuria reduction in hypertensive patients with proteinuria at levels 1-3 g/24 h. There was no significant difference of the effects of benidipine and valsartan on GFR in benidipine- and valsartan-treated patients.
Conclusion: The results showed that valsartan was more effective in decreasing the levels of proteinuria in hypertensive patients with proteinuria at an early stage of nephropathy. The renoprotective effects of benidipine and valsartan in primary hypertensive patients with proteinuria were similar.