Environmental Exposure to Lead and Progressive Renal Insufficiency in Type II Diabetic Nephropathy

Exclusion Criteria

• •type I diabetes; renal insufficiency with a potentially reversible cause, such as malignant hypertension, urinary tract infection, hypercalcemia, or drug-induced nephrotoxic effects; other systemic diseases, such as connective-tissue diseases; use of drugs that may alter the course of renal disease, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, steroids, immunosuppressive drugs or Chinese herb drugs.; previous marked exposure to lead (lead poisoning or occupational exposure); drug allergies; and absence of informed consent.