A recent study by researchers at the University of Bristol has revealed the mechanism by which hormones can protect kidney blood vessels from the damaging effects of diabetes.
The findings offer early treatment strategies to slow or stop kidney damage in people with diabetes.
The results of the study, which received partial support from Kidney Research UK, were published in the Journal of Diabetes.
Diabetes is a major contributor to kidney failure in the UK.
The financial consequences of this treatment are borne by the patient and the National Health Service (NHS). Diabetes gradually damages the kidneys over time, often due to persistently high blood sugar.
This damage affects the glycocalyx, the main layer of the kidney filter. When the glycocalyx is damaged, it loses its ability to prevent the excretion of proteins in the urine, such as albumin, which is an early indication of kidney disease in diabetics.
Dr Rebecca Foster, Associate Professor of Microvascular Medicine: Translational Health Sciences (THS) at Bristol Medical School and lead author of the study, explained: “We know adiponectin has a protective effect, but we wanted to see if it could work by supporting blood vessel barrier function, preventing it from leaking. . We are excited because this is the first time that fat hormones have been shown to play a role in the health of the glycocalyx. This is a novel mechanism Action “.
Adiponectin, a hormone produced by fat cells, exhibits anti-inflammatory properties, improves glucose metabolism, and specifically affects blood vessels.
Adiponectin is often low in people with diabetes, but it can protect the kidneys by reducing urinary albumin excretion. Studies in laboratory models of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) have shown that adiponectin reduces damage to the glycocalyx, the protective layer in the kidney filter, and can strengthen and reduce vascular leakage.
Recent studies have shown that targeting the adiponectin pathway can preserve glycolytic integrity in diabetes and prevent the development of DKD.
Dr. Alice McMahon of Kidney Research UK pointed out the importance of preventing kidney disease in people with diabetes, reducing the need for treatment and reducing the financial burden on the National Health Service (NHS).
Investigating the adiponectin pathway as a target may provide a new approach for the prevention of DKD, and further research may pave the way for the development of new preventive therapies.
The results highlight the importance of early intervention to reduce the risk of kidney disease in diabetic patients.
