Commonly Used Kidney-protecting Drugs Can Easily Cause Hyperkalemia. Sodium Zirconium Cyclosilicate Can Effectively Reduce The Risk.

Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors (RAASi) are the cornerstone of treatment for chronic kidney disease and heart failure. Many guidelines recommend that patients with chronic kidney disease and/or heart failure receive RAASi therapy at the maximum tolerated dose.

Click to Cistanche for kidney disease

However, patients who received RAASi therapy were twice as likely to develop hyperkalemia as those who did not receive RAASi therapy.

Sodium zirconium cyclosilicate is a new potassium ion binding agent, a potassium-lowering drug, which has been used to treat hyperkalemia in adults, but no previous studies have confirmed its preventive effect on hyperkalemia.

A multinational study

Recently, a multinational study found that sodium zirconium cyclosilicate can reduce the risk of recurrence of hyperkalemia in patients with chronic kidney disease with or without heart failure who have experienced hyperkalemia in the past and are treated with RAASi. Allow more patients to maintain the therapeutic dose of RAASi.

What is even more amazing is that compared with other ethnic groups, sodium cyclosilicate has a better effect on Asian patients, which deserves everyone's attention.

The data of this study mainly came from the United States, Japan and Spain, and all patients received RAASi treatment for 120 days before inclusion in the study.

Specific drugs include four major categories: angiotensin receptor converting enzyme inhibitors (such as captopril, benazepril, etc.), angiotensin II receptor antagonists (such as valsartan), angiotensin receptor Somatic-neprilysin inhibitors (eg, sacubitril/valsartan) and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (eg, eplerenone).

After 6 months of follow-up, the study found that more patients in the sodium cyclosilicate group maintained their RAASi dose compared with patients in the control group who did not receive any potassium-lowering drugs.

In terms of subgroup analysis, sodium cyclosilicate was more effective in Japanese patients than in patients in the United States and Spain!

So, what enlightenment does this research bring us?

Scholars have long discovered that stopping or reducing the use of RAASi in CKD patients due to hyperkalemia is associated with a significantly increased risk of poor prognosis.

Although sodium cyclosilicate is not a drug directly beneficial to the kidneys, it can help patients take kidney-protecting drugs more safely, reduce the risk of hyperkalemia, and avoid a series of adverse events caused by hyperkalemia, such as Nausea and vomiting, numbness of limbs and around the mouth, extreme fatigue, muscle aches, cardiac arrest, etc.

How Does Cistanche Treat Kidney Disease?

Cistanche is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine used for centuries to treat various health conditions, including kidney disease. It is derived from the dried stems of Cistanche deserticola, a plant native to the deserts of China and Mongolia. The main active components of cistanche are phenylethanoid glycosides, echinacoside, and acteoside, which have been found to have beneficial effects on kidney health.

Kidney disease, also known as renal disease, refers to a condition in which the kidneys are not functioning properly. This can result in a buildup of waste products and toxins in the body, leading to various symptoms and complications. Cistanche may help treat kidney disease ase through several mechanisms.

Firstly, cistanche has been found to have diuretic properties, meaning it can increase urine production and help eliminate waste products from the body. This can help relieve the burden on the kidneys and prevent the buildup of toxins. By promoting diuresis, cistanche may also help Reduce high blood pressure, a common complication of kidney disease.

Moreover, cistanche has been shown to have antioxidant effects. Oxidative stress, caused by an imbalance between the production of free radicals and the body's antioxidant defenses, plays a key role in the progression of kidney disease. ies help neutralize free radicals and reduce Oxidative stress, thereby protecting the kidneys from damage. The phenylethanoid glycosides found in cistanche have been particularly effective in scavenging free radicals and inhibiting lipid peroxidation.

Additionally, cistanche has been found to have anti-inflammatory effects. Inflammation is another key factor in the development and progression of kidney disease. Cistanche's anti-inflammatory properties help reduce the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and inhibit the activation of inflammation mandatory pathways, thus alleviating inflammation in the kidneys.

Furthermore, cistanche has been shown to have immunomodulatory effects. In kidney disease, the immune system can be dysregulated, leading to excessive inflammation and tissue damage. Cistanche helps regulate the immune response by modulating the production and activity of immune cells, such as T cells and macrophages. This immune regulation helps reduce inflammation and prevent further damage to the kidneys.

Moreover, cistanche has been found to improve renal function by promoting the regeneration of renal tubes with cells. Renal tubular epithelial cells play a crucial role in the filtration and reabsorption of waste products and electrolytes. In kidney disease, these cells can be damaged, leading to damaged renal function. Cistanche's ability to promote the regeneration of these cells helps restore proper renal function and improve overall kidney health.

In addition to these direct effects on the kidneys, cistanche has been found to have beneficial effects on other organs and systems in the body. This holistic approach to health is particularly important in kidney disease, as the condition often affects multiple organs and systems. che has been shown to have protective effects on the liver, heart, and blood vessels, which are commonly affected by kidney disease. By promoting the health of these organs, cistanche helps improve overall kidney function and prevent further complications.

In conclusion, cistanche is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine used for centuries to treat kidney disease. Its active components have diuretic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and regenerative effects, which help improve renal function and protect the kidneys from further damage. , cistanche has beneficial effects on other organs and systems, making it a holistic approach to treating kidney disease.