Abstract: AIM: This study was undertaken to explore the relationshiPbetween urinary albumin excretion rate ( UAER) and plasma level of circulating endothelial cells( CEC) in patients with early diabetic nephropathy( EDN) and the interventional role of ginkgo-damole injection(GDI) on development of UAER in patients with EDN.METHODS: UAER and plasma level of CEC were measured in 65 cases with type 2 diabetes mellitus,and the relationshiPbetween them was analyzed.45 cases with diabetic nephropathy whose value of UAER is 30 -300 mg·d^-1 were randomly divided into two groups.The 22 patients in the control grouPwere treated by routine method including decreasing blood sugar and controlling blood pressure.The 23 patients in the treated grouPwere treated with GDI 20 ml per day by intravenous dripping,with 2 weeks as one therapeutic course.The blood sugar,blood pressure, UAER and CEC in the two groups were observed and compared.RESULTS: Plasma level of CEC was markedly elevated in patients without albuminuria( SDM group) and patients with trace albuminuria( EDN group) when compared to the grouPof normal controls( NC group) ( P<0.01) , and plasma level of CEC in EDN grouPwas significantly higher than that in SDM( P<0.01).There was significant positive correlation between UAER and systolic blood pressure ( SBP) as well as CEC level ( P<0.01).After treatment with GDI,UAER and CEC level were obviously decreased in EDN grouP( P<0.01).There was significant positive correlation between change of UAER and that of CEC level ( P<0.001).However, those in the control grouPwere little changed.CONCLUSION: VEC injury may play an important role in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy.GDI has protective function on early diabetic nephropathy by preventing VEC from being damaged.

Key words: diabetes mellitus, type 2, diabetic nephropathy, ginkgo-damole injection, endothelium, vascular