Could a Urine Test Help Assess Aspects of Cystic Fibrosis?

Highlights

• Studies conducted in mouse models, patients with cystic fibrosis, and different types of cells have helped to define how cystic fibrosis affects the kidneys.
• A urine test may help to assess aspects of cystic fibrosis in patients, which may be useful for testing the effectiveness of new medications.

Washington, DC (July 23, 2020) — New research provides insights on the effects of cystic fibrosis in the kidneys. The findings, which appear in an upcoming issue of JASN, point to the potential for a urine test related to the disease. 

The first hormone—called secretin—was discovered in 1902. Secretin stimulates the secretion of bicarbonate in the pancreas to neutralize acids. This requires a membrane protein and chloride channel called the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), which is defective in patients suffering from cystic fibrosis, a condition that causes thick mucus to clog the lungs and obstruct the pancreas. In patients with this disease, there is no increase in urinary excretion of bicarbonate following treatment with secretin. 

A team led by Jens Leipziger, MD, PhD (Aarhus University) and Karl Kunzelmann, MD, PhD (University of Regensburg) studied several mouse models, patients with cystic fibrosis, and different types of cells to define the mechanisms involved in the urinary excretion of bicarbonate, and how these mechanisms are affected by cystic fibrosis. They also found that a urine test of bicarbonate may help to assess CFTR function in patients, which may be useful for assessing the potential of new medications. 

“A simple urine test may become a useful tool to measure how much CFTR function is defective in each patient and also to see if novel treatment strategies have an effect,” said Dr. Leipziger.

Study co-authors include Peder Berg, Samuel L. Svendsen, Mads V. Sorensen, PhD, Casper K. Larsen, PhD, Jesper Frank Andersen, Soren Jensen-Fangel, MD, Majbritt Jeppesen, MD, PhD, Rainer Schreiber, and Ines Cabrita.

Disclosures: A patent entitled “The Cystic Fibrosis Urine Test” was filed by Aarhus University.

The article, entitled “Impaired Renal HCO₃^– Excretion in Cystic Fibrosis,” will appear online at http://jasn.asnjournals.org/ on July 23, 2020, doi: 10.1681/ASN.2020010053.

The content of this article does not reflect the views or opinions of The American Society of Nephrology (ASN). Responsibility for the information and views expressed therein lies entirely with the author(s). ASN does not offer medical advice. All content in ASN publications is for informational purposes only, and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions, or adverse effects. This content should not be used during a medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health care provider if you have any questions about a medical condition, or before taking any drug, changing your diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment. Do not ignore or delay obtaining professional medical advice because of information accessed through ASN. Call 911 or your doctor for all medical emergencies.

Since 1966, ASN has been leading the fight to prevent, treat, and cure kidney diseases throughout the world by educating health professionals and scientists, advancing research and innovation, communicating new knowledge, and advocating for the highest quality care for patients. ASN has more than 21,000 members representing 131 countries. For more information, visit www.asn-online.org.

# # #

Original post https://alertarticles.info