Compound Alpha-Ketoacid Supplementation for Diabetic Nephropathy in a Retrospective Controlled Study

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a major microvascular complication of diabetes and a leading cause of progressive chronic kidney disease. This retrospective controlled study evaluated whether adding compound alpha-ketoacid tablets to conventional therapy improves renal function, inflammatory response, fibrosis-related biomarkers, oxidative stress status, therapeutic efficacy, and safety in patients with diabetic nephropathy. A total of 312 patients treated from October 2022 to June 2023 were included. The control group received conventional treatment, including glycemic control, antihypertensive therapy, lipid regulation, low-protein dietary guidance, and basic nutritional support. The experimental group received compound alpha-ketoacid tablets in addition to conventional therapy for 3 months. Compared with conventional therapy alone, combined therapy produced a higher total effective rate and greater improvements in blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (Cr), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), homocysteine (Hcy), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), interleukin-6 (IL-6), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA). The incidence of adverse drug reactions did not differ significantly between groups. These findings suggest that supplementation with alpha-ketoacid compounds may be a useful adjunctive strategy to improve renal and inflammatory outcomes in selected patients with diabetic nephropathy without increasing safety risks.