Azelnidipine, but not amlodipine, reduces urinary albumin excretion and carotid atherosclerosis in subjects with type 2 diabetes: blood pressure control with olmesartan and azelnidipine in Type 2 diabetes (BOAT2 study).

To evaluate the efficacy of azelnidipine and amlodipine on diabetic nephropathy and atherosclerosis, we designed a prospective and randomized controlled clinical study in type 2 diabetic patients with stable glycemic control with fixed dose of anti-diabetic medication. Although there was no difference in blood pressure between both groups, urinary albumin excretion and maximum carotid intima-media thickness were reduced in azelnidipine group, but not in amlodipine group. In addition, inflammatory cytokine levels were decreased only in azelnidipine group which possibly explains such beneficial effects of azelnidipine on urinary albumin excretion and carotid atherosclerosis.