The effect of glycosaminoglycan sulodexide on oxidative stress and fibrinolysis in diabetes mellitus.

Glycosaminoglycan sulodexide may influence morphology and functional properties of the basement membranes in microvessels. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of sulodexide administration on albuminuria and on different biochemical variables indicating endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress and fibrinolysis in diabetic patients. Twenty diabetic patients of both types with micro- or macroalbuminuria were selected for sulodexide treatment. Daily dose of 600 U (60 mg) was injected intramuscularly five days a week. Fifteen doses were applied during 3 weeks. The patients were examined before and after treatment as well as 6 months later. No changes of diabetes control were observed during the study and after 6 months of wash-out period. Significant decrease of albuminuria (p < 0.001) was observed during the sulodexide administration with the following increase to pretreated values during the wash-out period. A decrease of serum N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase (NAG) activity (p < 0.03) at the end of treatment as compared to pretreated values was found in the whole group of diabetic patients. Slight reduction of oxidative stress expressed by malondialdehyde and superoxide dismutase was apparent after treatment but no simultaneous change in fibrinolysis was observed. Sulodexide may have some protective effects influencing functional properties of the basement membrane as manifested by lowered albuminuria. In addition, it may slightly decrease oxidative stress in diabetic patients and it could stabilize endothelial cells.