Health · Medical Research · 2 hrs ago
Semaglutide showed signs of repairing kidney damage in a study
Semaglutide showed signs of protecting damaged kidneys in a study of people with chronic kidney disease.
The condition affects an estimated 674 million people worldwide and is commonly linked to diabetes and high blood pressure.
Researchers examined kidney samples from 106 participants who had taken semaglutide or a placebo in an earlier trial.
In those taking semaglutide, the tissue showed better blood flow and less scarring and stiffness, while albumin levels in urine also fell.
The drug appeared to quiet inflammation and support repair in the kidney’s tiny filtering blood vessels.
In a 2024 trial, people with diabetic kidney disease taking semaglutide were less likely to develop kidney failure or die from a heart attack or stroke than those given a placebo; the trial stopped early because of the benefits.
Semaglutide was linked to signs of healthier kidney tissue in a study of people with chronic kidney disease.
The study found increased kidney blood flow, reduced scarring and less stiffness in blood vessels after participants took the drug.
Urine albumin levels also fell, while gene activity showed less inflammation and more signs of repair.
Researchers examined kidney samples from 106 participants, comparing those who took semaglutide with those given a placebo.
The findings suggest the drug may help protect kidney blood vessels, but the study examined how it works rather than testing its effects in all patients.
- Who
- Researchers studied 106 participants with chronic kidney disease. Susan Quaggin and Peter Nguyen commented on the findings but were not involved in the study.
- What
- The study found signs that semaglutide may improve kidney blood flow and tissue health and reduce inflammation.
- When
- The study was reported in Nature Medicine on October 1. Science News published its article on November 9, 2026.
- Where
- Not stated.
- Why
- Researchers examined kidney samples to investigate how semaglutide may affect the kidneys.
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Researchers reported that patients with diabetic chronic kidney disease taking semaglutide were less likely to develop kidney failure or die from a heart attack or stroke than patients taking a placebo.
Researchers reported the new study in Nature Medicine, examining kidney samples from participants who had taken semaglutide or a placebo.
- Participants
- 106
- Study publication
- Nature Medicine, October 1
- Kidney tissue findings
- Increased blood flow, reduced scarring and reduced blood vessel stiffness
- Urine albumin
- Levels fell in participants taking semaglutide
- Gene activity
- Inflammatory and metabolic-stress genes were turned off; repair genes were switched on
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