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New drug could help reduce dietary phosphorus absorption, pilot study suggests

Date:
December 2, 2014
Source:
American Society of Nephrology (ASN)
Summary:
The potential of a small-molecule inhibitor of NHE3 to help reduce phosphorus absorption in patients with kidney disease has been demonstrated by two separate studies. Patients with reduced kidney function are unable to maintain normal levels of phosphorus, which can lead to hyperphosphatemia.
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Researchers presented two preliminary studies at ASN Kidney Week 2014 in Philadelphia, PA, that demonstrate the potential of tenapanor -- a minimally-systemic inhibitor of the intestinal sodium/proton exchanger subtype 3 (NHE3) -- to help reduce phosphorus absorption in patients with kidney disease. Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have impaired kidney function and are unable to excrete enough phosphorus to maintain normal levels of phosphorus, which can lead to such adverse effects as hyperparathyroidism and bone and cardiovascular diseases.

Previous studies have shown that tenapanor can reduce the absorption of sodium. In the first study presented at ASN Kidney Week 2014, researchers used two animal models to determine if tenapanor could also reduce phosphorus absorption.

Investigators found that tenapanor reduced phosphorus absorption in the rodent model demonstrated by an increase in fecal phosphorus excretion in animals receiving the drug compared to controls. A second model examining cardiovascular effects found reductions in vascular calcification markers for animals receiving tenapanor. "These results suggest that tenapanor may provide a new approach to [phosphorus] management in renal disease and associated mineral disorders," the authors reported.

The second study investigated the effects of tenapanor on phosphorus absorption in healthy volunteers. Two double-blinded, placebo-controlled studies examined two dosing regimens over a 7-day period -- multiple ascending dosing and different dosing.

Both regimens demonstrated increased phosphorus excretion for participants receiving the drug compared to placebo. "Tenapanor may provide a new mechanism for the treatment of hyperphosphatemia, with the potential added benefits of reducing pill burden and improving Na overload in patients with end stage renal disease," the authors concluded.


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Materials provided by American Society of Nephrology (ASN). Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Cite This Page:

American Society of Nephrology (ASN). "New drug could help reduce dietary phosphorus absorption, pilot study suggests." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 2 December 2014. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/12/141202110624.htm>.
American Society of Nephrology (ASN). (2014, December 2). New drug could help reduce dietary phosphorus absorption, pilot study suggests. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 29, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/12/141202110624.htm
American Society of Nephrology (ASN). "New drug could help reduce dietary phosphorus absorption, pilot study suggests." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/12/141202110624.htm (accessed March 29, 2024).

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