BACKGROUND Diabetic nephropathy is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Cardiovascular (CV) complications are the most common cause of death among ESRD patients. Beraprost sodium (BPS) is a prostacyclin analog with vasodilatory and antiplatelet effects.

METHODS This is a multicenter prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to determine whether treatment with BPS improves arterial stiffness in patients with type 2 diabetic nephropathy. A total of 102 participants with type 2 diabetic nephropathy will be screened, enrolled, and randomly assigned to receive either 80 μg BPS or placebo daily for 12 weeks. The primary outcome is the change in brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity between baseline and after 12 weeks of medication use. The secondary outcomes will include changes in the ankle-brachial index, the urine albumin to creatinine ratio, the estimated glomerular filtration rate, lipid profiles, and blood pressure from baseline to after treatment.

DISCUSSION This clinical trial is the first to investigate the effects of BPS on changes in CV biomarkers, albuminuria, renal function, and lipid profiles in patients with diabetic nephropathy.

TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT01796418.