There are
many ETs with ET-1 being the predominant
isoform. They are produced by many cells in the kidney and have a wide variety
of biologic actions including the regulation of vascular resistance, fluid and
electrolyte transport and cell proliferation (including the development of fibrosis). ET acts
through the activation of G–coupled receptors, with 2 main subtypes. Activation
of ET-A receptors cause vasoconstriction and cell proliferation, whereas
activation of ET-B causes natriuresis and the release of nitric oxide and
prostacyclin, mediating vasodilation. Selective antagonism of the ET-A receptor
is therefore an attractive target with combined blockade, perhaps unsurprisingly, appearing to have no beneficial effects. A previous large multicenter RCT of 1392
participants was performed in patients with Type 2 diabetes and CKD 3-4 using
Avosentan with RAAS blockers. The study was halted after a median 4 months
for cardiovascular safety concerns. Avosentan significantly reduced proteinuria
compared to placebo but at the expense of excess fluid overload and congestive
cardiac failure. It should be noted that Avosentan is a less ET-A selective
antagonist than Atrasentan, the agent in the current JASN study.
The
current study was a placebo-controlled RCT involving 211 patients with diabetic
nephropathy, overt proteinuria and eGFR 30-75mls/min. The mean age was 65 years
and 70-80% were male. Two doses of Atrasentan were studied, 0.75mg/day and
1.25mg/day. There was a significant improvement seen in albuminuria with
albumin/creatinine ratios decreasing by a mean of 35% and 38% in the 2
Atrasentan groups respectively. There was no change in renal function or office
BP but 24-hour BP, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides decreased significantly in
both treatment groups. More patients in the high dose
group discontinued due to adverse events and as expected, there was an increase
in weight in the Atrasentan group. However, the rates of peripheral edema or congestive
heart failure did not differ between groups. The weight gain was presumed to be
fluid-related as reflected by small but significant decreases in hemoglobin and
hematocrit.
There are two simultaneous basic science publications
examining the disparate effects of ET-A & ET-B receptors which I will
briefly mention. A KI paper reported on pigs with unilateral renovascular disease treated with either ET-A or ET-B
antagonists. Renal blood flow and GFR were significantly improved after ET-A
but not ET-B blockade. Moreover, only ET-A blockade therapy reversed renal
microvascular rarefaction and was accompanied by markedly decreased renal
inflammation and fibrosis. Another study in JASN investigated ET
effects in podocytes during experimental diabetic nephropathy. Mice with a
podocyte-specific double deletion of ET-AR and ET-BR
manifested less albuminuria and were protected from podocyte loss and diabetic
nephropathy. Interestingly, this study also provides evidence that dual blockade of the ET-AR and ET-BR may be necessary to achieve maximal benefit in diabetic
nephropathy; challenging the belief that ET-B antagonism is detrimental.
So, is it time for ET antagonists to enter the
mainstream? These agents have been around for quite some time but the adverse
events reported with previous agents looked like it had buried these drugs for
good. This study is welcome and obviously encouraging. However, the short
follow-up and lack of hard endpoints mean further data is
needed and longer studies warranted. Also, it is obvious that we have much
still to learn regarding the ET system and how to manipulate it for gain in our
CKD patients. The Nephrology community is well used to false dawns,
particularly in diabetic nephropathy. Will ET antagonists prove to be the first
clinically useful agents since the introduction ACE inhibitors/ARBs? We would
like to hear what you think. Please follow the live Twitter journal club on May
13th at 9pm Eastern time and feel free to comment using #NephJC.
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