Aims: Benidipine, an L-/T-type calcium channel blocker, dilates renal efferent and afferent arterioles and reduces glomerular pressure; therefore, it may exert renoprotective effects. We conducted an open-labeled randomized trial to compare the effects of benidipine with cilnidipine in hypertensive patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).
Methods: The patients who were already being treated with angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) received one of the following treatment regimens: benidipine at a dose of 2 mg/day that was increased up to a dose of 8 mg/day (benidipine group; n=118) or cilnidipine at a dose of 5 mg/day that was increased up to a dose of 20 mg/day (cilnidipine group; n=115).
Results: After 12 months of treatment, we observed a significant and comparable reduction in the systolic and diastolic blood pressure in both groups. The urinary protein:creatinine ratio was significantly decreased in both groups after 3 months of treatment and thereafter; however, the difference between both groups was not significant after 12 months of treatment. Benidipine exerted an antiproteinuric effect to a greater extent than cilnidipine in patients with diabetes.
Conclusion: The addition of benidipine as well as cilnidipine reduces urinary protein excretion in hypertensive patients with CKD who are already being administered ARBs.