Atrasentan Provides Health Benefits to Patients with Diabetic Nephropathy

Low-dose atrasentan (0.75 mg/day) decreased albuminuria by 36% without major side effects in a randomized trial of 211 type 2 diabetic nephropathy patients who received a placebo, low-dose atrasentan, or 1.25 mg/day atrasentan for 12 weeks. The low dose of atrasentan also lowered blood pressure and cholesterol levels. The higher dose had similar benefits but caused more fluid retention. Patients in the JASN study had CKD stages 2 and 3 with albuminuria and were receiving maximum tolerated doses of RAS inhibitors. Atrasentan targets the endothelin receptor A and may have beneficial effects on kidney blood vessels while also reducing kidney inflammation and scarring.