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Osaka, Japan – A team of Japanese researchers has identified a promising new role for a class of diabetes drugs, originally developed to manage blood sugar levels, in protecting kidney health. The study, led by Associate Professor Katsuhito Mori from Osaka Metropolitan University’s Graduate School of Medicine, highlights the potential of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors in preventing kidney damage in patients with Type 2 diabetes.

SGLT2 inhibitors, such as canagliflozin, are known for their ability to improve glycemic control by helping kidneys flush out excess glucose. However, the new research suggests that these drugs may also enhance kidney oxygenation, potentially mitigating the progression of diabetic kidney disease—a serious complication of diabetes that can lead to kidney failure.

Study Findings

The study involved 14 hospitalized patients who were administered canagliflozin for five days. Researchers utilized BOLD (blood oxygenation level-dependent) MRI, a non-invasive imaging technology commonly used to monitor blood oxygen changes in the brain, to assess kidney oxygenation.

Results revealed an increase in kidney oxygen levels within the first day of treatment, indicating improved oxygenation of the organs. This effect is significant because diabetic nephropathy, a condition caused by prolonged high blood sugar, often results in oxygen deprivation in the kidneys.

“In animal experiments, kidney oxygen levels can be measured with a microelectrode, but this approach isn’t feasible in humans,” explained Mori. “BOLD MRI offers a non-invasive alternative, making it an invaluable tool for studying kidney disease mechanisms and developing therapeutic drugs.”

Broader Implications

The findings, published in Frontiers in Endocrinology, underscore the dual benefits of SGLT2 inhibitors in managing diabetes and protecting kidney health. With diabetes being the leading cause of kidney disease globally, these results could have far-reaching implications.

Diabetic nephropathy affects about one in three adults with diabetes and occurs when high blood sugar damages blood vessels and nephrons in the kidneys, impairing their ability to filter waste. This damage allows albumin, a type of protein, to pass into urine, signaling declining kidney function.

As diabetes cases continue to rise, the number of people with diabetic nephropathy is projected to reach 191 million by 2030, underscoring the urgent need for effective treatments.

Future Directions

The researchers hope their work will pave the way for further studies and the development of targeted therapies for diabetic kidney disease. “The ability to measure kidney oxygenation non-invasively with BOLD MRI is a game-changer,” Mori noted. “It could significantly advance our understanding of kidney disease and help refine treatments to prevent kidney failure.”

This discovery adds to the growing evidence supporting the broader benefits of SGLT2 inhibitors, offering new hope for millions living with diabetes and its complications.

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