New pharmacological treatments for improving renal outcomes in diabetes.
Authors Declèves AE, Sharma K
Submitted By Kumar Sharma on 8/12/2010
Status Published
Journal Nature reviews. Nephrology
Year 2010
Date Published 6/1/2010
Volume : Pages 6 : 371 - 380
PubMed Reference 20440278
Abstract Diabetic nephropathy is the most common and most rapidly growing cause of
end-stage renal failure in developed countries. Diabetic nephropathy results
from complex interactions between genetic, metabolic and hemodynamic factors.
Improvements in our understanding of the pathogenesis of fibrosis associated
with diabetic kidney disease have led to the identification of several novel
targets for the treatment of diabetic nephropathy. Albuminuria is a useful
clinical marker of diabetic nephropathy, as it can be used to predict a decline
in renal function. A reduction in albuminuria might not, however, be reflective
of a protective effect of therapies focused on ameliorating renal fibrosis.
Although new strategies for slowing down the progression of several types of
renal disease have emerged, the challenge of arresting the relentless
progression of diabetic nephropathy remains. In this Review, we discuss novel
pharmacological approaches that aim to improve the renal outcomes of diabetic
nephropathy, including the use of direct renin inhibitors and statins. We also
discuss the promise of using antifibrotic agents to treat diabetic nephropathy.
The need for novel biomarkers of diabetic nephropathy is also highlighted.


Investigators with authorship
NameInstitution
Kumar SharmaUniversity of California San Diego

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