Sildenafil citrate diminishes microalbuminuria and the percentage of A1c in male patients with type 2 diabetes.

Author(s): Grover-Paez F, Villegas Rivera G, Guillen Ortiz R

Affiliation(s): Health Research Division, Gynecology and Obstetrics Hospital, Centro Medico Nacional de Occidente, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Avenida Eulogio Parra 3022, Colonia Prados Providencia, C.P. 44670 Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico.

Publication date & source: 2007-03-17, Diabetes Res Clin Pract., [Epub ahead of print]

Publication type:

Sildenafil citrate has shown to display beneficial cardiovascular effects, suggesting that it may have other systemic benefits involving the endothelium. There is little data regarding the long-term use of this drug and the effects of this on different organs. OBJECTIVE: The primary aim of this study was to determine whether sildenafil citrate diminishes concentrations of microalbuminuria and percentage of A1c in patients with type 2 diabetes. DESIGN: A double-blind, randomized, controlled trial in 40 male patients, age 35-50, with type 2 diabetes. Subjects received sildenafil citrate 50mg daily (n=20) or placebo (n=20) for 30 days. Levels of hs-CRP, microalbuminuria, homocysteine, A1c and erectile function were measured at baseline and to the end of the study. RESULTS: Men that received sildenafil citrate displayed a significant decrease in the microalbuminuria concentrations (p<0.01) versus baseline, (p=0.02) versus placebo and A1c (p<0.01) versus baseline, (p=0.01) versus placebo. In addition, we observed a significant increase in the total IIEF score after 30 days of treatment (p<0.01) versus baseline, (p<0.01) versus placebo. CONCLUSIONS: The administration of 50mg of sildenafil citrate for 30 consecutive days diminishes microalbuminuria and the percentage of A1c in patients with type 2 diabetes.