FROM PATHOGENESIS TO NOVEL THERAPEUTIC PERSPECTIVES FOR DIABETIC NEPHROPATHY

The aim of our paper is to offer an in-depth review of the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy and novel therapeutic strategies. A better understand of the complex pathogenesis is the mainstay for developing proper molecules specifically targeting the pathogenesis and thus offering the chance of better survival for these patients. Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is the major cause of end stage renal disease in developed countries. Although mortality because of macrovascular complications (acute myocardial infarction, stroke) greatly decreased during the past years, mortality due to DKD was less influenced since no major advances in treatment of this complication are available. Currently, treatment for DKD includes dietary intervention,. tight glycemic and blood pressure control and nephron-protection. Agents that target formation of advanced glycation end products, regulators of endogenous antioxidant system, inhibitors of protein kinase C, or inhibitors of renal sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 are showing promising results in clinical trials addressing DKD.