A study led by an Indian-origin researcher has found that glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, a drug that helps in weight loss and controlling blood sugar, may also help protect the kidneys, whether a person has diabetes or not.

A study led by an Indian-origin researcher has found that glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, a drug that helps in weight loss and controlling blood sugar, may also help protect the kidneys, whether a person has diabetes or not.

GLP-1 receptor agonists were first developed to treat diabetes, but the drug is beneficial for both people with and without diabetes. The results of this study have been published in the journal The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology. This drug increases insulin production in the body and reduces blood sugar. Also, it slows digestion, reduces appetite and helps in weight loss by giving a feeling of fullness. 

Researchers at the George Institute for Global Health conducted the study to understand the effect of GLP-1 receptor agonists on chronic kidney disease, a serious disease that affects 1 in 10 people worldwide and has symptoms in about 850 million people. Researchers analyzed 11 large clinical trials conducted on 85,373 people. Of these, 67,769 people suffered from type-2 diabetes, while 17,604 people were only obese or suffered from heart disease but did not have diabetes.

For this, the team studied seven different GLP-1 receptor agonists. The results found that GLP-1 receptor agonists reduced the risk of kidney failure by 16%. The decline in the kidney's ability to filter blood (glomerular filtration rate) slowed down by 22%. Overall, these drugs reduced the risk of kidney failure, deteriorating kidney function and death from kidney disease by 19%.

Professor Sunil Badve, lead author of the study, said, "Chronic kidney disease is a progressive disease that can eventually lead to kidney failure and the need for dialysis or kidney transplant. This disease not only affects the quality of life of patients but also costs a lot in its treatment. The results of this study raise hope for patients suffering from this disease."

PC:Pixabay