Effects of the DPP-4 inhibitor linagliptin on renal endothelial function in type-2 diabetes

Background: Animal and human studies indicate increased nitric oxide (NO) activity and endothelial NO synthase (NOS) expression in type-2 diabetes. The exaggerated NO production, compensatory to the increased oxidative stress in diabetes, lead to early hemodynamic changes characterized by hyperfiltration, hyperperfusion and increased vascular permeability. Methods: In this randomized, double-blind, investigator-initiated trial, 62 patients (57 ± 9.3 years) with type-2 diabetes were randomly assigned to linagliptin 10 mg (n = 30) or placebo (n = 32) for a 6 weeks treatment period. Endothelial function of the rena…