A new study published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology has revealed that glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists—medications widely used to treat diabetes and obesity—offer significant kidney protection, reducing the risk of kidney failure and deterioration in people with and without diabetes.  

The comprehensive meta-analysis, led by researchers from The George Institute for Global Health, examined 11 large-scale clinical trials involving over 85,000 participants. The findings showed that GLP-1 receptor agonists reduced the risk of kidney failure by 16% and slowed kidney function decline by 22%. This translates to a combined 19% reduction in the risk of kidney failure, worsening kidney function, and kidney-related death compared to a placebo.  

The study also reaffirmed the cardiovascular benefits of GLP-1 receptor agonists, with a 14% reduction in the risk of cardiovascular death, non-fatal heart attack, and stroke, and a 13% lower risk of death from any cause.  

“These results are groundbreaking, especially for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), a condition that leads to kidney failure and increases the risk of premature death, primarily from heart disease,” said Professor Sunil Badve, lead author and Professorial Fellow at The George Institute and UNSW Sydney.  

GLP-1 receptor agonists, including drugs such as semaglutide (Ozempic/Wegovy), dulaglutide (Trulicity), and liraglutide (Victoza), were originally developed to manage blood sugar levels in diabetes patients but have since gained recognition for their effectiveness in treating obesity. Their newfound kidney-protective benefits may redefine treatment strategies for CKD, a condition that affects approximately 850 million people globally.  

CKD, the tenth leading cause of death worldwide, is expected to become the fifth most common cause of death by 2050. Diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease are leading risk factors for CKD, further highlighting the importance of this discovery.  

Professor Vlado Perkovic, senior author and Provost at UNSW Sydney, emphasized the significance of the findings: “This research shows that GLP-1 receptor agonists could be instrumental in addressing the global burden of non-communicable diseases. It will likely influence clinical guidelines for managing chronic kidney and cardiovascular diseases in patients with or without diabetes.”  

The study underscores the urgent need to integrate GLP-1 receptor agonists into clinical practice and improve accessibility for patients who could benefit from them. Researchers also called for further efforts to translate these findings into real-world health systems to combat the growing global burden of CKD and related diseases.