New Study Shows Atrasentan Improves Insulin Sensitivity in Diabetes Patients with Kidney Disease

A recent study from the Netherlands has revealed that atrasentan, a drug used to treat kidney issues, also helps improve insulin sensitivity in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Published in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, the research highlights how atrasentan could be especially beneficial for diabetes patients facing severe insulin resistance.

The research team, led by Dr. Hiddo J. L. Heerspink from the University Medical Center Groningen, analyzed data from the SONAR trial—a large study that tested atrasentan in T2D patients with CKD. The researchers focused on how this drug worked for patients grouped into four types (or clusters) based on their diabetes profiles:

1. Severe Insulin-Resistant Diabetes (SIRD)
2. Severe Insulin-Deficient Diabetes (SIDD)
3. Mild Obesity-Related Diabetes (MOD)
4. Mild Age-Related Diabetes (MARD)

Key Findings:

• The study included 931 participants.
• Overall Effect: Atrasentan reduced insulin resistance by 12.9%.
• Biggest Impact:
  • In the SIRD group (those with severe insulin resistance), insulin resistance dropped by 26.2%.
  • In the SIDD group (severe insulin deficiency), it decreased by 18.5% (not statistically significant).
• Smaller Impact:
  • In the MARD group (age-related diabetes), resistance fell by 12.2%.
  • In the MOD group (obesity-related diabetes), there was a slight increase of 5.3%.

What It Means:

For T2D patients with CKD, atrasentan could serve as a dual-action drug, helping both kidney health and insulin sensitivity. This is especially crucial for patients with severe insulin resistance, who are at a higher risk of kidney disease.

However, the study also had limitations. Only a specific group of SONAR trial participants were included, and these findings might not apply to all diabetes patients. The researchers recommend further studies with larger groups to confirm if atrasentan’s impact on insulin sensitivity also contributes to protecting kidney function.

This breakthrough offers hope for improving care for patients managing both diabetes and kidney disease, two conditions often linked but difficult to treat simultaneously.