Empagliflozin slows down natural kidney senescence via Six1/Wnt4/NF-κB pathway.
Our kidneys, like other organs, can experience a decline in function as we age, which can lead to serious health issues. While effective treatments for age-related kidney impairment are often lacking, new research offers a promising avenue. This study investigates the potential of a drug, already recognized for its kidney-protective effects in individuals with diabetes, to combat the natural aging of kidneys.
The findings indicate that this medication can significantly reduce the markers associated with kidney aging, essentially making the kidney cells appear younger. It achieves this by influencing a crucial set of molecular signals within the cells. Specifically, the drug increases the activity of two proteins, Six1 and Wnt4, which play roles in cell development and function. Concurrently, it reduces the activity of another protein complex called NF-κB, which is known to drive inflammation and contribute to cellular aging. By modulating these pathways, the medication helps to lessen inflammation and improve overall cellular health in the kidneys, suggesting a novel approach to preserving kidney function as we get older.