Efficacy of Leveraging Endocrine Therapies for Renoprotection during Intensive Care

On the intensive care unit, more than 50% of patients have acute kidney injury, and these patients suffer higher mortality and long-term morbidity. To date, no specific therapies exist to prevent or treat acute kidney injury on the intensive care unit.

We now have two new endocrinologic agents, glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose transport protein 2 inhibitors, able to protect patients with diabetes from chronic kidney disease.

The objective of this action is to investigate whether the renoprotective mechanisms of these agents can reduce markers of acute kidney injury in patients on the intensive care unit.

This action incorporates a highly sophisticated animal model for the essential invasive measurement of renal physiology.

To translate these findings to the clinical situation, I will employ new and innovative measurement techniques such as urinary oxygenation, new kidney biomarkers and advanced renal imaging techniques to elucidate these renoprotective mechanisms in humans.

The involved universities of Amsterdam and the University of Melbourne bring together world leading experts on acute kidney injury, endocrinologic therapies, and intensive care medicine.

By connecting their expertise, this action will not only provide insight into the renoprotective properties of the studied interventions and so improve the outcome of patients, but also train me as a researcher able to improve renal outcomes beyond the scope of this action.