Success Found in Easing Renal Fibrosis in Type 2 Diabetes

Approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) just over 4 years ago, linagliptin (Tradjenta) can help protect against renal injury in patients with type 2 diabetes.

According to a team led by Vadim V. Klimontov, MD, PhD, it was recently suggested that dipeptidyl peptidase (DPP)-4 inhibitors, like linagliptin, reduce renal fibrosis and diabetic nephropathy progression. The researchers observed the drug’s role in any kidney changes. The findings will be displayed in a poster session on June 6 at the American Diabetes Association 75^th Scientific Sessions in Boston, MA.

For 8 weeks, 8-week-old male diabetic mice were treated with 10 mg/kg of linagliptin each day. After analyzing the renal structures with light and electron microscopic images, the team was able to identify the changes.

“The number of podocyte foot processes was increased (p=0.007), and the number of endothelial fenestrae in glomerular capillaries tended to be increased (p=0.1) on linagliptin treatment,” the authors confirmed.

On average the treated mice experienced a 37.4% mesangial expansion, based on fractional mesangial volume. In addition, the medication diminished the width of the basal membrane of the proximal tubules to a great extent.

“The data from the current study demonstrate that DPP-4 inhibitor linagliptin ameliorates renal fibrosis and podocyte injury in a model of type 2 diabetic nephropathy,” the study concluded.