A recent study from the University of Bristol has found a promising new way to slow the damage caused by diabetic kidney disease, a serious condition that affects nearly 40% of people living with diabetes.
This discovery could bring hope to the 4.8 million people in the UK who have diabetes, many of whom are at risk of kidney failure that may require dialysis or even a transplant.
The researchers focused on a drug called spironolactone, which is usually used to treat high blood pressure. Earlier studies had already shown that this medication could reduce the amount of protein in the urine—a sign that the kidneys are not working properly.
But doctors have been cautious about using it for kidney protection because it can raise potassium levels in the blood. Too much potassium can be dangerous and lead to serious heart problems.
In this study, scientists wanted to understand exactly how spironolactone protects the kidneys. They discovered that the drug helps maintain a special layer in the kidneys called the glycocalyx. This gel-like layer lines the inside of tiny blood vessels and is essential for keeping the kidneys healthy.
In people with diabetes, this layer is often damaged, which leads to kidney problems over time. Spironolactone seems to protect the glycocalyx from harm, helping the kidneys function better for longer.
To study this in detail, researchers looked at kidney tissue samples from patients and created a new way to measure the depth of the glycocalyx layer. They found that people with diabetes had thinner, more damaged layers compared to healthy individuals. But when spironolactone was used, this damage was much less severe.
The team also found that spironolactone lowers the activity of certain enzymes called matrix metalloproteases. These enzymes normally break down the glycocalyx. By blocking these enzymes, the drug helps keep the protective layer in place, which may explain why it’s effective in slowing kidney damage.
This finding opens up new possibilities. The researchers are now planning to test other drugs that specifically block these enzymes, but without causing the side effect of raised potassium levels. If successful, this could lead to safer and more effective treatments for people with diabetic kidney disease.
The study, led by Dr. Matthew Butler and published in JCI Insight, is an important step forward in understanding how to prevent kidney damage in people with diabetes. It also helps explain how certain blood pressure medications can protect the kidneys in ways we didn’t fully understand before.
For people living with diabetes, taking steps to protect kidney health is essential. High blood sugar and high blood pressure are two major causes of kidney damage. By managing these and making healthy lifestyle choices, people can greatly reduce their risk.
Keeping blood sugar in a healthy range is one of the most important things you can do. Following your doctor’s advice, eating healthy foods, and taking medication as prescribed can all help. Blood pressure should also be kept under control—usually below 130/80 mm Hg—using medication if needed.
Eating a diet low in salt and unhealthy fats, staying active, not smoking, and getting regular check-ups are other key ways to protect your kidneys. Regular tests can catch kidney problems early when they’re easier to treat.
This new research shows that by better understanding how current medications work, scientists can find new ways to treat common problems. In the future, we may see new medications developed from these findings—ones that protect the kidneys without unwanted side effects.
For now, the study offers new hope to people with diabetes who are at risk of kidney disease. With more research and continued care, people can live longer, healthier lives while managing their condition.
If you care about diabetes, please read studies about the cooking connection between potatoes and diabetes, and low calorie diets may help reverse type 2 diabetes.
For more health information, please see recent studies about protein power: a new ally in diabetes management, and pineapple and diabetes: A sweet surprise.
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