GLP-1 Receptor Agonists and Kidney Protection.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is the leading cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is determined by specific pathological structural and functional alterations of the kidneys in patients with diabetes, and its clinical manifestations are albuminuria and decline of glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Apart from renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) inhibitors, no other drugs are currently available as therapy for diabetic kidney disease (DKD). Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonists are a new class of anti-hyperglycemic drugs which have been demonstrated to prevent the onset of macroalbuminuria and reduce the decline of GFR in diabetic patients. These drugs may exert their beneficial actions on the kidneys through blood glucose- and blood pressure (BP)-lowering effects, reduction of insulin levels and weight loss. Clinical benefits of GLP-1R agonists were acknowledged due to data from large randomized phase III clinical trials conducted to assess their cardiovascular(CV) safety. These drugs improved renal biomarkers in placebo-controlled clinical studies, with effects supposed to be independent of the actions on glycemic control. In this review, we will focus on the actions of GLP-1R agonists on glucose metabolism and kidney physiology, and evaluate direct and indirect mechanisms through which these drugs may confer renal protection.

Antihypertensive Treatment in Diabetic Kidney Disease: The Need for a Patient-Centered Approach.

Diabetic kidney disease affects up to forty percent of patients with diabetes during their lifespan. Prevention and treatment of diabetic kidney disease is currently based on optimal glucose and blood pressure control. Renin-angiotensin aldosterone inhibitors are considered the mainstay treatment for hypertension in diabetic patients, especially in the presence of albuminuria. Whether strict blood pressure reduction entails a favorable renal outcome also in non-albuminuric patients is at present unclear. Results of several clinical trials suggest that an overly aggressive blood pressure reduction, especially in the context of profound pharmacologic inhibition of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system may result in a paradoxical worsening of renal function. On the basis of this evidence, it is proposed that blood pressure reduction should be tailored in each individual patient according to renal phenotype.

Apparent Treatment Resistant Hypertension, Blood Pressure Control and the Progression of Chronic Kidney Disease in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Apparent treatment resistant hypertension (aTRH) is highly prevalent in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). The impact of aTRH and achievement of recommended blood pressure (BP) values on the rate of glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) loss in CKD patients is poorly known. To assess the role of aTRH and time-updated BP control (BPC) on the progression of CKD in patients with T2D and hypertension (HT) in real life clinical practice. METHODS: Clinical records from a total of 2,778 diabetic patients with HT and stage 3 CKD (i.e. baseline eGFR values between 30 and 60 ml/min) and regular visits during a four-year follow-up were analyzed. The association between BPC (i.e. 75% of visits with BP <140/90 mmHg) and eGFR loss (i.e. a >30% reduction from baseline) or worsening of albuminuria status over time was assessed. RESULTS: At baseline 33% of patients had aTRH. Over the 4-year follow-up, 20% had a >30% eGFR reduction. Patients with aTRH had an increased risk of eGFR loss >30% (OR 1.31; P<0.007). In patients with aTRH, BPC was associated with a 79% (P=0.029) greater risk of eGFR reduction despite a 58% (P=0.001) lower risk of albuminuria status worsening. In non-aTRH, no association was found between BPC and renal outcome. CONCLUSION: In patients with stage 3 CKD the presence of aTRH entails a faster loss of eGFR. More effective prevention of aTRH should be implemented as this condition is associated with a burden of risk not modifiable by tight BP reduction.

Changes in albuminuria and renal outcome in patients with type 2 diabetes and hypertension: a real-life observational study.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the predictive role of changes in albuminuria on the loss of renal function under antihypertensive treatment in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). METHODS: Clinical records from a total of 12 611 patients with hypertension and T2D, attending 100 antidiabetic centers in Italy, with normal estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at baseline and regular visits during a 4-year period were retrieved and analyzed. We assessed the association between changes in albuminuria status during a 1-year baseline period and time updated blood pressure (BP) and eGFR loss over the subsequent 4-year follow-up. RESULTS: Mean age at baseline was 65 ±â€Š9 years, known duration of diabetes11 ±â€Š8 years, eGFR 85 ±â€Š13 ml/min and BP 142 ±â€Š17/81 ±â€Š9 mmHg. Patients with persistent albuminuria showed the highest 4-year risk of eGFR loss more than 30% from baseline or onset of stage 3 chronic kidney disease (eGFR < 60 ml/min) as compared with those with persistent normal albuminuria (odds ratio 2.00, confidence interval 1.71-2.34; P < 0.001). Female sex, age, disease duration, BMI, low baseline eGFR, lipid profile, the number of antihypertensive drugs and variations in albuminuria status were associated with renal risk in the whole study population. Furthermore, lower time updated BP values and the use of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone-system-inhibitors were related to the occurrence of renal endpoints only in the subgroup of patients without albuminuria. CONCLUSION: In patients with hypertension and T2D under real-life clinical conditions, changes in albuminuria parallel changes of renal risk. Albuminuria status could be a guide to optimize therapeutic strategy.

Bioenergetics and mitochondrial dysfunction in aging: recent insights for a therapeutical approach.

The present review points out the role of oxidative stress in aging and the potential therapeutic targets of modern antioxidant therapies. Mitochondria are essential for several biological processes including energy production by generating ATP through the electron transport chain (ETC) located on the inner mitochondrial membrane. Due to their relevance in cellular physiology, defects in mitochondria are associated with various human diseases. Moreover, several years of research have demonstrated that mitochondria have a pivotal role in aging. The oxidative stress theory of aging suggests that mitochondria play a key role in aging as they are the main cellular source of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which indiscriminately damage macromolecules leading to an age-dependent decline in biological function. In this review we will discuss the mitochondrial dysfunction occurring in aging. In particular, we will focus on the novel mitochondria targeted therapies and the new selective molecules and nanocarriers technology as potentially effective in targeting mitochondrial dysfunction and diseases involving oxidative stress and metabolic failure.