A recent study has revealed that Ozempic, a drug containing semaglutide, can protect against kidney disease in obese individuals without diabetes. The research, published in Nature Medicine, indicates that patients taking semaglutide experienced a notable reduction in kidney damage and inflammation.
The study, led by Hiddo Heerspink, a clinical pharmacologist at the University Medical Center Groningen in the Netherlands, showed that semaglutide patients had up to a 52% reduction in kidney damage, as measured by urine testing. Additionally, there was a 30% reduction in kidney inflammation.
Direct and Indirect Effects on Kidneys
According to Heerspink, semaglutide has both direct and indirect beneficial effects on the kidneys. The drug directly impacts inflammation parameters in the kidney and reduces fat tissue around the kidneys, leading to a decrease in protein levels in the urine. Indirectly, it aids in weight reduction and lowers blood pressure.
The study involved 101 obese participants with chronic kidney disease from Canada, Germany, Spain, and the Netherlands. Participants were recruited starting in 2022 and were divided into two groups: one receiving semaglutide injections and the other receiving a placebo for 24 weeks.
Weight Loss and Blood Pressure Reduction
The results indicated that participants taking semaglutide lost approximately 10% of their body weight. They also experienced a reduction in high blood pressure comparable to that achieved with blood pressure medication. These findings suggest a protective effect of the drug on kidney health.
Future Research Directions
Heerspink expressed optimism about the drug's potential, stating that further research is warranted to determine whether semaglutide can reduce the need for dialysis or kidney transplants. He also emphasized the importance of investigating the drug's efficacy in patients with kidney damage who are not obese.
