New insights into how anti-obesity drugs can help prevent kidney disease

Data from Australian researchers could partly explain why a trial of a new diabetes drug was recently halted after it turned out to be so effective. Importantly, this data also sheds light on how previously mysterious anti-obesity drugs like Ozempic actually work.

In early November, the FLOW trial of semaglutide in the progression of kidney dysfunction in patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease was halted prematurely due to the drug’s efficacy.

Part of the rationale for stopping the trial may be explained by a study led by Associate Professor Melinda Coughlan from Monash University and published in the journal today. kidney internationalhave shown that drugs that target the specific hormone GLP1 also interact with a receptor called RAGE to control the kidney damage that is a hallmark of type 2 diabetes.

The discovery of the importance of RAGE opens new therapeutic targets for the prevention of kidney disease in diabetic patients. Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) occurs in up to 40% of people with diabetes. According to Associate Professor Coughlan, the outlook for DKD has improved in recent decades as a result of improved glycemic control and blood pressure management through new treatments, “However, a significant proportion of people with diabetes still have end-stage renal disease or kidney disease.” It will proceed to.” She dies prematurely from cardiovascular events,” she said.

“Our research opens a way to potentially prevent kidney disease in people who have previously been resistant to treatment.”

Another co-author of the study, Professor Mark Cooper, also from Monash University’s Central Clinical School, said the discovery of the role of RAGE receptors in diabetes supports the potential of obesity drug Ozempic and similar treatments that target obesity. There is also a possibility that it may explain how it works. .

To date, we know that these drugs developed to tackle diabetes can help with weight loss, but their mechanism of action in reducing diabetic complications, including kidney disease in particular, is not understood. ”

Professor Mark Cooper, Monash University Central Clinical School

“We know that RAGE receptors promote kidney damage, but blocking the interaction of drugs such as Ozempic with this RAGE receptor could help expand and develop new drugs to protect the kidneys.” New information has been obtained.