The popular glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists known to help in weight loss as well as manage blood sugar can also protect the kidneys, regardless of diabetes status, finds a study led by an Indian-origin researcher.
Originally
developed to treat diabetes, GLP-1 receptor agonists have significant benefits
in people with and without diabetes, according to the study published in The
Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology.
The
drug stimulates insulin production and lowers blood sugar levels by mimicking
the action of a hormone called glucagon-like peptide 1. It also slows down
digestion, increases feelings of fullness, and reduces hunger to aid in weight
loss.
Researchers
from the George Institute for Global Health explored to understand the impact
of GLP-1 receptor agonists on chronic kidney disease (CKD) -- estimated to
affect one in 10 people worldwide or about 850 million people.
They
conducted a meta-analysis of 11 large-scale clinical trials of GLP-1 receptor
agonists involving a total of 85,373 people. This included 67,769 people with
Type 2 diabetes, while 17,604 people were overweight or obese and had
cardiovascular disease but not diabetes.
The
team probed seven different GLP-1 receptor agonists, including semaglutide
(also known as Ozempic or Wegovy), dulaglutide (Trulicity), and liraglutide
(Victoza).
The
team found that GLP-1 receptor agonists decreased the risk of kidney failure by
16 per cent compared to placebo. The estimated glomerular filtration rate -- a
measure of how much blood the kidneys filter and reflects the rate of worsening
of kidney function also declined by 22 per cent.
Together,
the GLP-1 receptor agonists reduced the risk of kidney failure, worsening
kidney function, and death due to kidney disease by 19 per cent, the
researchers said.
Lead
author Professor Sunil Badve, Professorial Fellow at The George Institute for
Global Health and UNSW Sydney said that the results show promise for people
with chronic kidney disease.
“Chronic
kidney disease is a progressive condition eventually leading to kidney failure
requiring dialysis or kidney transplantation and is associated with premature
death, mostly from heart disease. It has a significant impact on patients’
quality of life and incurs substantial healthcare costs,” Badve said.
No comments:
Post a Comment