A new study from the University of Bristol has found a possible way to slow down kidney damage in people with diabetes.
This is good news for many, as nearly 40% of people with diabetes develop kidney problems.
In the UK alone, around 4.8 million people live with diabetes, and they are four times more likely to need dialysis or a kidney transplant than people without diabetes.
The study focused on spironolactone, a drug commonly used to treat high blood pressure. Doctors already know that it can reduce the amount of protein that leaks into the urine—a sign of kidney disease.
However, this medicine can cause high potassium levels in the blood, which is dangerous. Because of this, doctors are often careful about prescribing it.
In this study, researchers wanted to understand how spironolactone works to protect the kidneys. They found that the drug helps keep a special layer on the blood vessels in the kidneys healthy.
This layer is called the glycocalyx, and it acts like a soft gel that protects blood vessels. In people with diabetes, this layer gets damaged, which can lead to kidney problems.
Using kidney tissue samples from patients, the researchers created a new way to measure the thickness of the glycocalyx. They saw that diabetes harms this layer, but spironolactone helped keep it from getting worse.
They also found that spironolactone lowers the activity of certain enzymes called matrix metalloproteases. These enzymes can break down the glycocalyx. By reducing these enzymes, the drug helps protect the kidneys from further damage.
Next, the researchers want to look at other drugs that target these enzymes. If successful, they might find new treatments that don’t cause the high potassium levels that spironolactone does.
This study brings hope to people with diabetic kidney disease. It suggests that protecting the glycocalyx could be a new way to treat this condition and slow its progress.
If you have diabetes, there are many things you can do to take care of your kidneys. Keep your blood sugar in the target range your doctor recommends. High blood sugar can hurt your kidneys over time.
Make sure to manage your blood pressure too. Try to keep it below 130/80 mm Hg. A healthy diet with less salt and fat, regular exercise, and not smoking can all help protect your kidneys.
Take any medications your doctor gives you, and get regular tests to check how well your kidneys are working. Catching kidney problems early makes them easier to treat.
This research, led by Dr. Matthew Butler, was published in JCI Insight. It opens the door to better treatments for millions of people with diabetes who are at risk of kidney disease.
If you care about kidney health, please read studies about High blood pressure drugs may affect kidney health and findings of Effective home remedies for kidney infections.
For more health information, please read studies about important cause of kidney disease and Cruciferous vegetables may reverse kidney damage in diabetics.
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