BRISTOL: A study conducted by researchers at the University of Bristol has unveiled a promising mechanism by which a hormone can shield the kidney’s functioning from the harmful effects of diabetes. This discovery presents a potential early therapeutic strategy to mitigate or stop the progression of kidney damage in persons with diabetes.
Published in the journal Diabetes and partially supported by Kidney Research UK, the study sheds light on the protective role of adiponectin, a hormone produced by fat cells, in safeguarding the blood arteries of the kidney.
Diabetes poses a significant risk factor for kidney failure, with approximately one in five persons with diabetes requiring treatment for kidney disease during their lifetime, and nearly one in three of those needing dialysis or transplantation having diabetes. The financial implications of these treatments are significant for both patients and the National Health Service (NHS).
Dr. Rebecca Foster, Associate Professor of Microvascular Medicine at the Bristol Medical School: Translational Health Sciences (THS) and senior author of the study, highlighted the significance of the findings, stating, “We knew that adiponectin was protective, but we wanted to understand whether it might be acting by supporting the barrier function of the blood vessels to stop them from becoming leaky. It’s a new mechanism of action.”
Adiponectin demonstrates anti-inflammatory properties and specifically affects blood vessels. Despite persons with diabetes often having low levels of adiponectin, research has shown that it can protect the kidneys by reducing the excretion of albumin in urine.
Studies conducted on laboratory models of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) have revealed that adiponectin can mitigate damage to the glycocalyx, a protective layer within kidney filters, and thicken it, thereby reducing vessel leakage.
Dr. Aisling McMahon from Kidney Research UK emphasized the importance of preventing severe kidney complications in persons with diabetes, thus sparing them from demanding treatments and alleviating the financial burden on the NHS.
