Living with diabetes can be tough, especially because it often brings along other health problems.
One major concern is kidney disease. In the United Kingdom, nearly 40% of people with diabetes develop kidney disease.
That’s close to 5 million people who may face serious treatments like dialysis or even kidney transplants.
But now, there’s hope from a familiar medicine. Spironolactone, a drug mainly used to treat high blood pressure, is showing promise in protecting the kidneys of people with diabetes.
This medicine works by stopping certain proteins from leaking into the urine, which is a key sign of kidney damage. However, spironolactone isn’t perfect. One of its known side effects is that it can cause too much potassium to build up in the blood, which can be dangerous.
Researchers at the University of Bristol decided to study spironolactone more closely to understand how it might protect the kidneys. They focused on a very thin, delicate layer that covers the inside of kidney blood vessels. This layer is called the glycocalyx. It helps keep the blood vessels healthy and working properly.
The scientists made two key discoveries. First, they found that diabetes damages the glycocalyx. When this layer is harmed, the kidneys don’t function as well, and protein can leak into the urine.
Second, they discovered that spironolactone helps protect this layer from damage. This was an exciting finding because it offered a clear reason why the medicine might help slow kidney disease.
An unexpected group of enzymes called matrix metalloproteases also played a big role in this story. These enzymes are known to break down proteins and can harm the glycocalyx. But the researchers found that spironolactone slows down the activity of these enzymes, helping to protect the kidney’s delicate structures.
This finding opens up a whole new area for future research. Scientists now have a better idea of what causes the damage in diabetic kidney disease and how it might be stopped. There may even be new medicines that could work like spironolactone but without its potassium-related side effects.
People living with diabetes can also take steps to protect their kidneys every day. Keeping blood sugar under control is very important. So is managing blood pressure—ideally keeping it at or below 130/80 mm Hg.
Eating a healthy diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins also helps. It’s smart to avoid too much salt and saturated fat. Regular exercise, not smoking, and taking medications as prescribed are also key. And of course, regular check-ups with a doctor can catch any signs of kidney trouble early.
This important research was led by Dr. Matthew Butler and published in JCI Insight. It offers hope for better ways to treat diabetic kidney disease in the future. As scientists learn more, we may see treatments that are safer, more effective, and less of a burden for people living with this serious condition.
If you care about blood pressure, please read studies that turmeric and vitamin D may boost blood pressure control in type 2 diabetes and scientists find link between blood pressure drugs and bowel diseases.
For more about blood pressure, please read studies about high blood pressure treatment: ARBs vs. ACE inhibitors and blood pressure response to exercise can predict future heart disease.
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