Migraine drug shows promise in treatment of acute kidney injury (Reyvow)

Medical Xpress / American Physiological Society / American Journal of Physiology-Renal Physiology ^ | Feb. 15, 2023 | Kevin A. Hurtado et al

[ConservativeMind]

The drug lasmiditan, which is used to treat migraines, shows promise as a possible treatment for acute kidney injury, according to a new study from the University of Arizona.

Researchers conducting this study are working to develop a drug to treat acute kidney injury. The disease, which is characterized by rapid kidney failure, occurs in approximately 8% to 16% of hospitalized people and affects more than 13 million people worldwide. The condition can be caused by a variety of factors, including some medications and sepsis. Acute kidney injury can lead to physiological problems, such as mitochondrial dysfunction, damage to small blood vessels in the kidney and loss of renal tubular function. Currently, there is no treatment for acute kidney injury.

Physiologists treated a mouse model of acute kidney injury with lasmiditan and found it stimulated recovery of kidney function such as mitochondrial biogenesis (the cellular process that produces new mitochondria based on environmental and physiological changes), improved vascular integrity, reduced fibrosis and reduced proximal tubule damage. The mice were first assigned to four groups and dosed for five consecutive days, starting at 24 hours after kidney injury.

Lasmiditan is already approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for treatment of migraines. Rick Schnellmann, Ph.D., lead author of the study and dean of the College of Pharmacy at the University of Arizona, said this is a classic example of drug repurposing. More research is needed, but Schnellmann believes these early results show promising signs of a treatment for acute kidney injury.

[ConservativeMind]

Reyvow is nearly $100 a pill, but if it blocks kidney damage, it’s worth it.

Plus, you might feel really good.

[ConservativeMind]

The “Take Charge Of Your Health” Ping List
This high volume ping list is for health articles and studies which describe something you or your doctor, when informed, may be able to immediately implement for your benefit.

Email me to get on either the “Common/Top Issues” (20 - 25% fewer pings) or “Everything” list.

[Cold Heart]

If it works this could be a really big deal. Hopefully some people can get off dialysis

[Bob434]

agreed- one of the bigger things to happen if it does- lives are turned upside down by kidney daily dialysis, and soem folks have to travel hundreds of miles to get to treatments- it takes its toll

[Pelham]

“Hopefully some people can get off dialysis”

I don’t think that this drug can do that. What it should do is keep AKI from killing you.

AKI causes your kidneys to suddenly stop functioning. This isn’t like chronic kidney disease that results in permanent dialysis. Untreated AKI will kill you in a hurry. If you can recover from AKI your kidneys have a good chance of working like they did before AKI

[sauropod]

.

[Bob434]

Thanks for the clarification. Once kidneys are already damaged, I guess there is no way to “undamage” them.

Glad to hear though that this med will be good, as you say, to keep aki from killing the patient rapidly.