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Published on: October 26, 2020
Endothelin Receptor Antagonists: New Hope for Renal Protection?
Sheldon Tobe1, Donald E Kohan, Ranjit Singarayer
1Division of Nephrology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada, Sheldon.Tobe@sunnybrook.ca.
Abstract:
Endothelin receptor antagonists (ERAs) have the potential to be a new paradigm in the treatment of chronic kidney disease (CKD). ERAs inhibit the effects of endothelin-1 (ET-1), which is known to promote CKD by causing renal cellular injury, proteinuria, inflammation, fibrosis, and hypertrophy. ERAs have been extensively studied preclinically in models of CKD and now in a large clinical trial to determine their effect on slowing the progression of CKD. Initial clinical trials show promise with regard to ERA effects on reducing proteinuria in patients with diabetic nephropathy (DN) who are already on renin-angiotensin system (RAS) blocking agents. A common side effect of peripheral edema has been consistently reported in clinical trials using ERAs; hence, finding a safe balance between renoprotective actions and side effects needs to be achieved.
Insights
Endothelin receptor antagonists (ERAs) show promise in slowing chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression by inhibiting endothelin-1. Further research is needed to balance renoprotective effects with side effects like edema.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Endothelin-1 (ET-1) plays a key role in chronic kidney disease (CKD) pathogenesis, contributing to renal cellular injury, proteinuria, inflammation, fibrosis, and hypertrophy.
- Endothelin receptor antagonists (ERAs) target the detrimental effects of ET-1.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the potential of ERAs as a novel therapeutic strategy for slowing CKD progression.
- To assess the efficacy of ERAs in reducing proteinuria in patients with diabetic nephropathy (DN) already treated with renin-angiotensin system (RAS) blockers.
Main Methods:
- Preclinical studies in CKD models.
- A large-scale clinical trial investigating ERA effects on CKD progression.
- Analysis of proteinuria reduction in DN patients on RAS inhibitors.
Main Results:
- ERAs demonstrated potential in preclinical CKD models.
- Initial clinical trials indicate that ERAs can reduce proteinuria in DN patients on RAS blockers.
- Peripheral edema is a consistently reported side effect in ERA clinical trials.
Conclusions:
- ERAs represent a potential new therapeutic paradigm for managing CKD.
- Balancing the renoprotective benefits of ERAs with their side effect profile, such as peripheral edema, is crucial for clinical application.
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