Towards Better Drug Repositioning: Targeted Immunoinflammatory Therapy for Diabetic Nephropathy

Curr Med Chem. 2021;28(5):1003-1024. doi: 10.2174/0929867326666191108160643.

Abstract

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the most common and important microvascular complications of diabetes mellitus (DM). The main clinical features of DN are proteinuria and a progressive decline in renal function, which are associated with structural and functional changes in the kidney. The pathogenesis of DN is multifactorial, including genetic, metabolic, and haemodynamic factors, which can trigger a sequence of events. Controlling metabolic risks such as hyperglycaemia, hypertension, and dyslipidaemia is not enough to slow the progression of DN. Recent studies emphasized immunoinflammation as a critical pathogenic factor in the progression of DN. Therefore, targeting inflammation is considered a potential and novel treatment strategy for DN. In this review, we will briefly introduce the inflammatory process of DN and discuss the anti-inflammatory effects of antidiabetic drugs when treating DN.

Keywords: Diabetic nephropathy; glucagon-like peptide-1 analogue; immunoinflammatory; metformin; phosphodiesterase inhibitors; spironolactone; statins; vitamin D.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Diabetes Mellitus*
  • Diabetic Nephropathies* / drug therapy
  • Drug Repositioning
  • Humans
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Inflammation / drug therapy
  • Kidney

Substances

  • Hypoglycemic Agents