Diabetes drug may slow kidney aging in fast-aging fish.

A study in African turquoise killifish reported that SGLT2 inhibitors reduced age-related kidney changes, preserving small blood vessels and lowering inflammation.

Researchers tested SGLT2 inhibitors, a class of diabetes medications, in African turquoise killifish, a species that lives about four to six months. The fish model allowed scientists to observe rapid organ aging over weeks. As the killifish aged, their kidneys developed changes similar to aging human kidneys, and treated fish showed fewer of those changes. The work was published in the journal Kidney International and led by researchers at MDI Biological Laboratory and Hannover Medical School. Key findings: - Fish given SGLT2 inhibitors retained more small blood vessels (capillaries) in the kidney, which supported blood flow. - Treated fish showed less damage to kidney filtering structures and maintained healthier filtration-related features. - Inflammation in the kidneys was reduced in fish receiving the drugs. - Kidney cells in treated fish showed more normal energy-related gene activity and better cellular communication, resembling younger animals. - The authors note these upstream effects may explain clinical observations that benefits of SGLT2 inhibitors extend beyond glucose control. Summary: The study supplies biological details about how SGLT2 inhibitors can influence kidney structure and function during aging. The fast-aging fish model may accelerate testing of kidney-focused treatments, and the research team plans to investigate whether the drugs can repair existing kidney damage and how the timing of treatment affects outcomes.