Popular Diabetes Drug Also Protects Kidneys, Study Finds

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A popular diabetes drug has been found to reduce the risk of kidney failure and improve heart and lung health, according to an Australian study.

The University of New South Wales study, published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, was a meta-analysis combining the results from 11 clinical trials on diabetes and obesity drugs.

Over 85,000 participants were included, with more than 67,000 having type 2 diabetes.

Key Findings

The study identified that the drugs lead to a 16 percent reduced risk of kidney failure, a 13 percent reduced risk of major cardiovascular events (such as stroke and heart attack), and a 12 percent lower risk of death.

The clinical trials investigated 7 drugs known as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, including semaglutide, which is more commonly known by the brand name “Ozempic.”

How Does It Work?

To understand how these drugs work, it is important to first understand how the body normally functions after a meal.

Following a meal, blood sugar levels increase. The body releases the hormone insulin from the pancreas to lower blood sugar by moving sugar from the blood into the body’s cells.

Insulin is also released when it receives a signal from glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), a separate hormone released from the small intestines.

The drugs, GLP-1 receptor agonists, mimic the activity of the GLP-1, helping lower blood sugar.

Additionally, the medication promotes a sense of satiety and also slows down digestion.

Common side effects of the medication include vomiting, nausea, constipation, and diarrhoea. This can occur when patients are starting the medication or when taking an increased dose.

Why This is Important

While previous research has shown GLP-1 receptor agonists to be beneficial in the treatment and management of type 2 diabetes and obesity, their effects on cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease (CKD) have been unclear until now.

The study, led by Dr. Sunil Badve, is the first to show that these drugs can significantly protect against kidney failure and end-stage kidney disease.

“They have a key role in kidney-protective and heart-protective treatment for patients with common medical conditions like type 2 diabetes, overweight or obesity with cardiovascular disease, or CKD,” Dr. Badve said in a press release.

Drug Could Help Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease

Around 2 million Australians are affected by CKD, according to Kidney Health Australia.

CKD affects approximately 10 percent of the global population (850 million people) and is projected to become the fifth most common cause of death by 2050.

In Australia, over $8.3 billion was spent on CKD treatment in 2019. Government spending for CKD reached $1.9 billion, according to a report by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, representing a major burden to the healthcare system.

Senior author Vlado Perkovic said the research showed GLP-1 receptor agonists could play an important role in addressing this global healthcare burden.

“Our study will have a major impact on clinical guidelines for the management of chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular disease in people with and without diabetes,” he said.

“More work is now needed to implement the results of this study into clinical practice and improve access to GLP-1 receptor agonists to people who will benefit from them.”