A method by which a hormone can shield the kidney’s blood vessels from the damaging effects of diabetes was recently discovered by researchers at the University of Bristol.
This finding may provide an early therapeutic approach to slow or stop the development of kidney impairment in diabetics.
The study’s conclusions, which were published in the journal Diabetes, were partially funded by Kidney Research UK.
In the United Kingdom, diabetes is a significant cause of renal failure. Roughly one in five diabetics will eventually need kidney disease therapy, and approximately three out of every five who are in need of dialysis or a kidney transplant have diabetes.
Patients and the National Health Service (NHS) share the financial burden of these therapies. Diabetes gradually damages the kidneys over time, frequently as a result of blood sugar levels that are consistently high.
A vital layer of kidney filters, the glycocalyx, is impacted by this injury. When the glycocalyx is damaged, it can no longer effectively stop proteins like albumin from being eliminated through the urine, which is why it can be used as a precursor to kidney disease in diabetics.
According to Dr. Rebecca Foster, senior author of the study and associate professor of microvascular medicine at Bristol Medical School: Translational Health Sciences (THS), “We knew that adiponectin was protective, but we wanted to understand whether it might be acting by supporting the blood vessel’s barrier function to stop it from becoming leaky.” It was the first time this fat hormone has been linked to glycocalyx health, which is why we were excited. It has a novel mode of operation.
The fat cell hormone adiponectin has anti-inflammatory qualities, improves glucose metabolism, and has a targeted effect on blood arteries.
Adiponectin can protect the kidneys by lowering albumin excretion in urine, even though it is frequently low in diabetics. Studies on lab-based models of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) have shown that adiponectin can thicken and prevent damage to the glycocalyx, which is a protective layer found in kidney filters, which in turn reduces vascular leakage.
According to recent research, focusing on the adiponectin pathway may protect the integrity of the glycocalyx in diabetes and delay the onset of diabetic kidney disease (DKD).
Dr. Aisling McMahon of Kidney Research UK stresses the need to prevent diabetics from developing serious kidney problems, save them from invasive procedures, and lessen the financial strain on the National Health Service (NHS).
By investigating the adiponectin pathway as a target, a novel strategy for avoiding DKD may be introduced, opening the door for the creation of new preventive medicines through further research.
The results highlight the need of early intervention in reducing the risk of renal damage in those with diabetes.
