title: Albuminuria Is an Appropriate Therapeutic Target in Patients with CKD: The Pro View.
abstract: The presence of elevated levels of albuminuria is associated with an increased risk of progressive renal function loss over time. This association is found in various pathophysiological conditions, including diabetic nephropathy, hypertensive nephropathy, and various primary renal diseases, but also, the general, otherwise healthy population. Emerging data report that elevated albuminuria causes tubulointerstitial damage through activation of proinflammatory mediators, which ultimately leads to a progressive decline in renal function. Nowadays, various drugs are available that decrease the rate of GFR loss in patients with kidney disease. Well known are renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors, but there are also other drugs and interventions, like intensive glucose control, anti-inflammatory agents (pentoxifylline), or a low-protein diet. These interventions have an additional effect beyond their original target, namely lowering albuminuria. Analyses from clinical trials show that the reduction in albuminuria observed during the first months of treatment with these drugs correlates with the degree of long-term renal protection: the larger the initial reduction in albuminuria, the lower the risk of ESRD during treatment. In addition, in treated patients, residual albuminuria is again the strongest risk marker for renal disease progression. These observations combined provide a strong argument that albuminuria is an appropriate therapeutic target in patients with CKD.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacology and h.j.lambers.heerspink@umcg.nl.
authors.forename: Hiddo J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Lambers Heerspink
authors.affiliation: Nephrology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Ron T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Gansevoort
mesh_terms: D000419:Albuminuria / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy* / Q000652:urine; D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000652:urine; D018450:Disease Progression; D005919:Glomerular Filtration Rate; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D051436:Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy* / Q000652:urine; D012307:Risk Factors; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000378:metabolism*; D000075462:Serum Albumin, Human; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D064804:Urological Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: C422455:ALB protein, human; D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D015415:Biomarkers; D012709:Serum Albumin; D064804:Urological Agents; D000075462:Serum Albumin, Human
keywords: CKD; albuminuria; urinary protein