Ishita Roy

GLP-1 Drugs Could Be Used To Treat Chronic Kidney Disease

Chronic Kidney Disease

From all that we heard about the GLP-1 medications, the latest in news is not about weight loss or <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/diabetes">diabetes</a>, but how it helps those battling chronic kidney disease. These include Ozempic, Wegovy, Saxenda, Trilicity and other GLP1-RA medicines.

The medicines which are used traditionally to treat kidney issues are DPP4is, which stands for Dipeptidyl Peptidase IV (DPP IV) Inhibitors. These are a group of antihyperglycemic medications used to manage type 2 diabetes mellitus. The enzyme that plays a role in the renal function may also contribute in improving a diabetic kidney. Whereas the GLP1-RA or Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists are a class of drug that treats type 2 diabetes and obesity. 

However, a latest research led by Dr Shuyao Zhang, an assistant professor of internal medicine at UT Southwestern in Dallas reveal the benefits of GLP1-RA medications that perform better in helping slow the progression of kidney disease. 

"The benefits of GLP1-RA therapy for blood glucose management are well known, but our research provides much-needed evidence in support of the [kidney]-protective effect of GLP1-RAs in high-risk patients with moderate to advanced chronic kidney disease," says Zhang. 

It was a two-year-long study, where Zhang's team followed the medical records of 64,705 veterans with diabetes and chronic kidney disease. Half of them took the DPP4i, whereas the other half took the GLP1-RA. 

The study found that those who took the latter class of drugs were 16% less likely to die, and 10% less likely to be in a hospital. The same group was also 36% less apt to see their kidney disease progress compared to those who consumed DPP4i drugs.

This is because people with diabetes and chronic kidney disease have a very high risk of complications including low blood sugar, infections or cardiovascular events. Thus a drug mainly used for diabetes helps and outperforms the DPP4i drugs. 

Not only that but GLP1-RA can also lead to fewer cardiovascular events, less progression of kidney disease and lower health care costs. This works well due to the impactful outcomes that also support benefit for a wider class of people, especially those who are at risk of such diseases.

"Historically, diabetic kidney disease has been difficult to address. With further research, we could eventually see new guidelines that include GLP1-RAs as part of a comprehensive treatment approach for diabetes-related kidney disease, potentially improving long-term outcomes and enhancing patient quality of life," said Zhang. 

As per the National Kidney Foundation and a study published in 2024, reviewed by the NFK Patient Education Team there are four main messages that GLP-1 sends to other parts of your body, which include:

<ul><li>It tells your pancreas to release insulin to help digest meals</li><li>It tells your liver to slow the release of stored sugar</li><li>It slows down how quickly your food leaves your stomach to increase digestion</li><li>It increases the signals to your brain that let you know when you are full</li></ul>

The GLP1-RA medicines replicate the GLP-1 hormones in our body and the when it triggers these functions, it also lowers inflammation in the kidney and removes extra sodium from the body. There have been studies that showed that these drugs also decrease urine albumin-creatinine ratio levels for people with albuminuria, thus helping your kidney to stay healthy.

Health Conditions A-Z

health

GLP=1 drugs for kidney diseases

GLP1-RA

GLP-1

GLP-1 drug

diabetes

kidney

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From all that we heard about the GLP-1 medications, the latest in news is not about weight loss or diabetes, but how it helps those battling chronic kidney disease. These include Ozempic, Wegovy, Saxenda, Trilicity and other GLP1-RA medicines. The medicines which are used traditionally to treat kidney issues are DPP4is, which stands for Dipeptidyl Peptidase IV (DPP IV) Inhibitors. These are a group of antihyperglycemic medications used to manage type 2 diabetes mellitus. The enzyme that plays a role in the renal function may also contribute in improving a diabetic kidney. Whereas the GLP1-RA or Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists are a class of drug that treats type 2 diabetes and obesity. However, a latest research led by Dr Shuyao Zhang, an assistant professor of internal medicine at UT Southwestern in Dallas reveal the benefits of GLP1-RA medications that perform better in helping slow the progression of kidney disease. "The benefits of GLP1-RA therapy for blood glucose management are well known, but our research provides much-needed evidence in support of the [kidney]-protective effect of GLP1-RAs in high-risk patients with moderate to advanced chronic kidney disease," says Zhang. How Was The Study Conducted?It was a two-year-long study, where Zhang's team followed the medical records of 64,705 veterans with diabetes and chronic kidney disease. Half of them took the DPP4i, whereas the other half took the GLP1-RA. The study found that those who took the latter class of drugs were 16% less likely to die, and 10% less likely to be in a hospital. The same group was also 36% less apt to see their kidney disease progress compared to those who consumed DPP4i drugs.Why Does This Happen?This is because people with diabetes and chronic kidney disease have a very high risk of complications including low blood sugar, infections or cardiovascular events. Thus a drug mainly used for diabetes helps and outperforms the DPP4i drugs. Not only that but GLP1-RA can also lead to fewer cardiovascular events, less progression of kidney disease and lower health care costs. This works well due to the impactful outcomes that also support benefit for a wider class of people, especially those who are at risk of such diseases."Historically, diabetic kidney disease has been difficult to address. With further research, we could eventually see new guidelines that include GLP1-RAs as part of a comprehensive treatment approach for diabetes-related kidney disease, potentially improving long-term outcomes and enhancing patient quality of life," said Zhang. How Does It Work?As per the National Kidney Foundation and a study published in 2024, reviewed by the NFK Patient Education Team there are four main messages that GLP-1 sends to other parts of your body, which include:It tells your pancreas to release insulin to help digest mealsIt tells your liver to slow the release of stored sugarIt slows down how quickly your food leaves your stomach to increase digestionIt increases the signals to your brain that let you know when you are fullThe GLP1-RA medicines replicate the GLP-1 hormones in our body and the when it triggers these functions, it also lowers inflammation in the kidney and removes extra sodium from the body. There have been studies that showed that these drugs also decrease urine albumin-creatinine ratio levels for people with albuminuria, thus helping your kidney to stay healthy.