Drug could prevent kidney failure

Associated Press

BOSTON — A type of drug already widely used to lower blood pressure can substantially delay and perhaps prevent kidney failure in diabetics, a discovery that could eliminate tens of thousands of new dialysis and transplant cases each year.

Doctors found that the medicines, called angiotensin II receptor blockers, forestall complete kidney failure by about two years in diabetics with advanced kidney disease. They predict the effects will be even more dramatic in those with less severe kidney damage, potentially protecting them from ever reaching end-stage disease.

Dr. Barry Brenner of Boston’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital calculated that during the three years of his study, the drugs could have prevented 38,000 cases of kidney failure in the United States alone if all diabetics with kidney damage had taken them. The financial saving, even after the cost of the medicine, would approach $1 billion annually.

Brenner noted that kidney failure is increasing by 2 percent a year in the United States. "If we can begin to impact that in new diabetics, they may never get there," he said. "That’s why I’m so excited by these findings. This will make a major dent in this pandemic."

Brenner’s study and two others involving a total of 3,818 patients were published in today’s issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. The studies showed the effects of two angiotensin blockers, Bristol-Myers Squibb’s Avapro and Merck’s Cozaar. They were initiated by academic researchers and financed by the manufacturers.

Other brands of the drugs include Atacand, Diovan, Micardis and Teveten. Researchers say they believe all of them probably have similar effects.

"This will have a major impact," predicted Scott Campbell, the American Diabetes Association’s research director. "Anything that delays the onset of end-stage renal disease is beneficial. This will mean better quality of life, less hospitalization and less expense."

About 300,000 Americans are on kidney dialysis because of organ failure, and 80,000 more are living with transplanted kidneys. Diabetes is the underlying cause of about 40 percent of all kidney failure.

Authors of the new studies recommend that angiotensin blockers be taken by all diabetics who show signs of kidney damage. This amounts to nearly half of the 16 million diabetics in the United States. The damage is diagnosed by tests that look for abnormal levels of proteins in the urine.

Dr. Gerald Bernstein of Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City said the next question is whether all diabetics should be on these drugs, regardless of whether they have kidney damage. "If the data keep getting stronger, it will become a recommendation, because there is very little downside to these drugs," he said.

Diabetes has reached epidemic levels in the United States and around the world, fueled by obesity and the aging of the population. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates the disease increased by one-third during the 1990s.

Angiotensin blockers work by relaxing the blood vessels. They are particularly helpful because they lower dangerous pressure in the delicate capillaries in the kidney that are responsible for forming urine.

An older class of blood pressure drugs, called ACE inhibitors, may do the same thing. This has already been shown in people with type 1 diabetes, which usually strikes in childhood or adolescence. However, this has not been convincingly proven in people with the dominant form of diabetes, called adult-onset or type 2 diabetes, which accounts for about 95 percent of all cases.

The latest studies were conducted on people with type 2 diabetes. Dr. Edmund Lewis of Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Medical Center in Chicago, who directed one of them, said drug companies were not interested in testing the benefits of ACE inhibitors in these patients, since the patents on these drugs are expiring.

Copyright ©2001 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Northshore School District bus driver Stewart O’Leary pictured next to his buses shattered drivers side windshield on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Put me in, coach’: Bus driver back at work after struck by metal bar

Stewart O’Leary, a Northshore employee, has received national attention for his composure during a frightening bus trip.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

An American Robin picks a berry from a holly tree on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Calling all birders for the annual Great Backyard Bird Count

The Audubon Society will hold its 28th annual Great Backyard… Continue reading

A view of one of the potential locations of the new Aquasox stadium on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024 in Everett, Washington. The site sits between Hewitt Avenue, Broadway, Pacific Avenue and the railroad. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Initial prep work for AquaSox stadium to start, with $200k price tag

The temporary agreement allows some surveying and design work as the city negotiates contracts with designers and builders.

Aaron Kennedy / The Herald
The Joann Fabric and Crafts store at 7601 Evergreen Way, Everett, is one of three stores in Snohomish County that will close as part of the retailer’s larger plan to shutter more than half of its stores nationwide.
Joann store closure plan includes Everett, Arlington, Lynnwood locations

The retail giant filed a motion in court to close approximately 500 stores in the U.S.

Lynnwood
Lynnwood police: 1 suspect in custody, 1 at large after attempted carjacking

Beverly Elementary School went into a precautionary lockdown Thursday afternoon. Numerous officers continue to search for the second suspect.

Candidates announce campaigns for Everett city council seat

Ryan Crowther, founder of the Everett Music Initiative, will challenge incumbent Paula Rhyne for the District 2 seat.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.