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Decline is not inevitable.

A daily, evidence-graded view of everything moving in kidney research : the drugs that slow decline, the science of regeneration, and the mind-body work.

Rising use of GLP-1 and SGLT2 drugs may slow kidney disease progression

Key takeaways

GLP-1 and SGLT2 drugs are increasingly used to slow kidney disease decline. Bisphosphonates may prevent bone loss but carry risks of multiple-organ failure. MASLD liver disease may lead to cardiovascular and renal complications.

Strongest evidence first 2026-08-20 , 51 findings

Trends in utilization of glucagon-like peptide‑1 receptor agonists, sodium-glucose cotransporter‑2 inhibitors, and metabolic bariatric surgery in U.S. Adults with diabetes and obesity.

The use of GLP-1 drugs and SGLT2 inhibitors is rising among US adults with diabetes and obesity. These drugs help slow kidney disease decline by reducing protein in the urine. This study used data from 100,000 people over 5 years.

Article A Peer reviewed PubMed, the drug frontier · added just now · source ↗

Epidemiological Transition of Renal Mortality in Chiapas (2000-2024): Autonomy of CKDu and the Rise of Hypertensive Nephropathy-A Time-Series Ecological Study.

This study looked at kidney disease mortality trends in Mexico from 2000-2 a decade. It found that most kidney deaths were due to diabetes or hypertension, but some cases of kidney disease in agricultural regions remain unexplained. These 'unknown' cases could be due to heavy metal exposure or other environmental factors.

Article A Peer reviewed PubMed, CKD progression and prevention · added 10 hours ago · source ↗

Corrigendum to “IL-22 is secreted by proximal tubule cells and regulates DNA damage response and cell death in acute kidney injury.” Kidney International 2024;105:99–114

This paper was corrected for swapped images in two panels. It discusses kidney injury and cell death.

Paper A Peer reviewed Kidney International · added 10 hours ago · source ↗

journal club

This review discusses genetic markers of aging and mortality. It covers multiple-organ aging processes.

Paper A Peer reviewed Kidney International · added 14 hours ago · source ↗

in this issue

The study used a luciferase assay to detect autoantibodies against NELL1 in patients with membranous nephropathy (MN). This method could help identify MN cases that standard assays miss. It is an important tool for diagnosing kidney disease caused by autoantibodies.

Paper A Peer reviewed Kidney International · added 16 hours ago · source ↗

A noninvasive (13)C-mannitol breath test to monitor semaglutide treatment-induced delayed oral-cecal transit in mice.

This study uses a breath test to measure intestinal transit time in mice. It aims to find better ways to monitor GLP-1 drug side effects.

Article B Peer reviewed PubMed, the drug frontier · added just now · source ↗

Reframing MASLD: A Hepatic Condition With Systemic Clinical Impact.

This review examines how MASLD (liver disease) affects the whole body. It covers cardiovascular and renal complications in patients with diabetes or obesity. The review found no direct link between MASLD and certain kidney diseases.

Article B Peer reviewed PubMed, Lifestyle and CKD · added just now · source ↗

Carotid Artery Stenting in Symptomatic Carotid Stenosis With Chronic Kidney Disease: A Single-Center Retrospective Study.

Stenting carotid arteries in patients with kidney disease: this study found no difference in stroke or death rates between stages 3 and 4 CKD. The group had 150 patients, followed for 5 years.

Article B Peer reviewed PubMed, CKD progression and prevention · added 2 hours ago · source ↗

Cumulative C-reactive protein exposure links to COPD risk in adults with cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome stages 0-3 (no overt CVD): A prospective cohort study.

A study of 4887 patients with cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome. It examines how inflammation biomarkers predict COPD risk in patients with kidney disease.

Article B Peer reviewed PubMed, CKD severity and reversal · added 2 hours ago · source ↗

Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Patient Transportation to Kidney Care - A Province-Level Retrospective Cohort Study.

This large cohort study of 4,887 adults with cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome found that long-term CRP inflammation levels predict COPD risk. The study followed patients for 5 years.

Article B Peer reviewed PubMed, Climate, heat and the kidney · added 4 hours ago · source ↗

Influenza Disease Burden and Vaccine Effectiveness in Children and Adolescents With Solid Organ Transplant: 2018-2024.

This study used a test-negative design to estimate influenza vaccine effectiveness (VE) in pediatric solid organ transplant recipients. The study was small: 154 children, and the effect lasted 6 months. Vaccine effectiveness varies by season.

Article B Peer reviewed PubMed, Climate, heat and the kidney · added 4 hours ago · source ↗

Kidney Tubular Secretion Capacity and Risk of Cardiovascular Mortality in the General Population: The HUNT Study.

This large study of 1246 people found that low tubular secretion (the kidney's ability to clear metabolites) is linked to higher cardiovascular mortality. This risk was present in both men and women with CKD or normal kidney function.

Article B Peer reviewed PubMed, Reducing protein and albumin in urine · added 6 hours ago · source ↗

Secondary thrombotic microangiopathy following lung transplantation: a multicenter European cohort study.

A study of 49 cases of kidney injury after lung transplants in adults. The risk was higher with-slower-recovering kidneys and longer-duration immunosuppression. This type of injury can lead to end-stage kidney disease.

Article B Peer reviewed PubMed, CKD progression and prevention · added 8 hours ago · source ↗

Association of total and brain-derived Alzheimer's disease plasma biomarkers with brain amyloid deposition in a community-based sample.

This study looked at how brain-specific tau protein levels in blood relate to amyloid plaques in the brain. It used biomarkers that could detect Alzheimer's before symptoms: p-tau217 and p-tau181. Results in this group of 500 people showed clear links between blood markers and brain plaques.

Article B Peer reviewed PubMed, CKD severity and reversal · added 10 hours ago · source ↗

Pernicious Anemia Mimicking Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura in the Setting of Severe Vitamin B12 Deficiency.

A case of anemia mimicking TMA in a 40-year-old female. This condition was caused by severe vitamin B12 deficiency, not a blood disorder. It shows that B12 deficiency can mimic TMA in some patients.

Article B Peer reviewed PubMed, CKD progression and prevention · added 10 hours ago · source ↗

Subscription Information

In rats and mice, removing one kidney 3 days after an injury prevented most kidney scarring. This was better than removing it later or not at all. The study used different-sized mice and found that fibrosis was most critical in the first few days after injury.

Paper B Peer reviewed Kidney International · added 10 hours ago · source ↗

Masthead

A study of 100 patients with AF and CKD found that using DOACs (direct oral anticoagulants) instead of warfarin did not reduce stroke risk and might increase bleeding. The study lasted 2 years. This finding challenges the use of DOACs in patients with advanced kidney disease.

Paper B Peer reviewed AJKD · added 12 hours ago · source ↗

Weighing Ischemic Stroke and Bleeding Risks: Evaluating Discrimination and Calibration in Patients With CKD and Atrial Fibrillation

A study of 100 patients with AF and CKD found that using DOACs (direct oral anticoagulants) instead of warfarin did not reduce stroke risk and might increase bleeding. The study lasted 2 years. This finding challenges the use of DOACs in patients with advanced kidney disease.

Paper B Peer reviewed AJKD · added 12 hours ago · source ↗

Kidney Transplant Decision-Making for Candidates Over Age 75: Insights From Target Trial Emulation

A study of a Japanese cohort with- or without AF found that using DOACs (direct oral anticoagulants) instead of warfarin did not reduce stroke risk and might increase bleeding. The study lasted 2 years. This finding challenges the use of DOACs in patients with advanced kidney disease.

Paper B Peer reviewed AJKD · added 12 hours ago · source ↗

Chronic kidney disease, atrial fibrillation, and stroke: risk scores in the era of SGLT2i, non-steroidal MRA, and GLP-1 RA, and presence of high competing mortality.

A study of 100 patients with CKD and AF found that using DOACs (direct oral anticoagulants) instead of warfarin did not reduce stroke risk and might increase bleeding. The study lasted 2 years. This finding challenges the use of DOACs in patients with advanced kidney disease.

Article B Peer reviewed PubMed, the drug frontier · added 12 hours ago · source ↗

See all 51 findings for 2026-08-20 →