The diabetes drug semaglutide, also referred to as Ozempic, has a optimistic impact for sufferers with persistent kidney harm and weight problems. They’ve much less protein of their urine, much less irritation of their kidneys and decrease blood stress.
This was proven in a world examine led by scientific pharmacologist Hiddo L. Heerspink of the College Medical Heart Groningen within the Netherlands. That is the primary time that it has been proven that this diabetes drug, now finest generally known as a method of shedding pounds, can be efficient for sufferers with persistent kidney harm. The outcomes of this examine have been revealed in Nature Drugs and offered concurrently on the annual congress of the American Society of Nephrology.
Does a diabetesdrug additionally work in persistent kidney illness with out diabetes?
Hiddo L. Heerspink acquired the thought for this examine at first of the corona pandemic. Earlier, he had found that one other class of medication in opposition to diabetes-2, the so-called SGLT2 inhibitors additionally appeared to work effectively for sufferers with persistent kidney harm with out diabetes. He subsequently wished to analyze whether or not semaglutide would additionally work positively for sufferers with persistent kidney illness and weight problems.
Sufferers eagerly participated within the examine
The primary members began this examine within the second half of 2022. At the moment, it had change into more and more identified that semaglutide prompted weight reduction. In consequence, getting members enthusiastic about this examine was no drawback in any respect. Lots of sufferers wished the drug however may not get it as a result of manufacturing couldn’t sustain with demand. This examine gave them a 50% likelihood of getting the drug although.
Quantity of protein in urine halved
The examine was performed in 4 international locations: Canada, Germany, Spain and the Netherlands. Half of the 101 members obtained 24-week injections of semaglutide, whereas the opposite half obtained a placebo. The examine discovered that the quantity of protein in urine, an end result measure indicating the diploma of kidney harm, was decreased by as a lot as 52%. Moreover, the diploma of kidney irritation was discovered to lower by 30%, the members’ blood stress drop was as massive as a blood pressure-lowering drug provides, and in them, a key measure of coronary heart failure was decreased by 33%. Individuals additionally misplaced about 10% of their weight.
Drug has direct and oblique impact
Heerspink may be very obsessed with these outcomes. ‘The good factor is that the drug has each direct and oblique results on the kidneys. The drug has direct results on irritation parameters within the kidney, and lowers fats tissue across the kidneys, reducing the quantity of protein within the urine. And not directly as a result of it reduces members’ weight and blood stress.’
Feeling hungry much less typically
The examine was too brief to measure enchancment in members’ high quality of life or medium-term results. ‘We despatched the members questionnaires about their food regimen. They appeared to really feel hungry much less typically and subsequently eat much less.’
Investigating impact on dialysis and kidney transplants
As for the follow-up, Hiddo L Heerspink is evident: ‘All indicators are inexperienced to check this drug in a big examine. I wish to discover out whether or not it might result in fewer dialyses or kidney transplants. And I’d additionally very very like to analyze whether or not this drug additionally works positively in sufferers with kidney harm with out weight problems. It is just very troublesome now to get sufficient of the drug to do the research as a consequence of its unprecedented recognition.
Supply:
Journal reference:
Apperloo, E. M., et al. (2024). Semaglutide in sufferers with chubby or weight problems and persistent kidney illness with out diabetes: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled scientific trial. Nature Drugs. doi.org/10.1038/s41591-024-03327-6.
