Use of pentoxifylline in membranous nephropathy

Urinary TNF-α excretion correlates with proteinuria in patients with membranous nephropathy (MGN). Pentoxifylline suppresses or reduces the production of TNF-α. Between April, 1999 and August, 2000, we did a single-centre, prospective, pilot study to assess the effects of pentoxifylline (1200 mg/day) on proteinuria in patients with idiopathic MGN. Ten patients were included and treated for 6 months. Pentoxifylline significantly decreased proteinuria from 11g/day [range 4·6–27] to 1·8 (0–10·9); p=0·001). Pentoxifylline may be a safe and effective adjunct to steroids and immunosuppressants in patients with MGN.