fimasartan and Nephritis

Fimasartan is the ninth angiotensin receptor blocker to be developed. However, it has not yet been evaluated for reno-protective effects in hypertensive diabetic chronic kidney disease (CKD). The target blood pressure (BP) for hypertensive diabetic CKD is also a controversial topic. This trial was designed to assess the reno-protective effects of fimasartan compared to those of losartan as a primary outcome. This study also compares the two drugs with regard to cardiovascular and renal outcomes in accordance with target systolic BP (SBP) (as secondary outcomes).. This study is a prospective, phase III, randomized, double-blind, active-controlled, non-inferiority, four-parallel group, dose-titration, multicenter trial. We recruit patients with hypertensive diabetic CKD with overt proteinuria. Participants will be randomized into four groups (1:1:1:1): fimasartan standard SBP control (SBP < 140 mmHg); fimasartan strict SBP control (SBP < 130 mmHg); losartan standard SBP control; and losartan strict SBP control. After 24 weeks, all individuals are treated with fimasartan for an additional 120 weeks in an open-label design, maintaining their assigned SBP control groups as randomized. The primary endpoint is the rate of change in proteinuria, which is assessed using the spot urine albumin-creatinine ratio at 24 weeks. The secondary endpoints are the cardiovascular and renal outcomes at 144 weeks compared between the strict SBP and standard SBP control groups.. The FANTASTIC is a clinical study to provide: (1) the reno-protective effect of fimasartan; and (2) the target BP to reduce adverse outcomes in hypertensive diabetic CKD with overt proteinuria.. Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT02620306. Registered on 1 December 2015.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Antihypertensive Agents; Biphenyl Compounds; Blood Pressure; Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic; Diabetes Complications; Diabetes Mellitus; Double-Blind Method; Endpoint Determination; Humans; Hypertension, Renal; Losartan; Middle Aged; Multicenter Studies as Topic; Nephritis; Prospective Studies; Proteinuria; Pyrimidines; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic; Tetrazoles

A newly developed angiotensin II receptor blocker, fimasartan, is effective in lowering blood pressure through its action on the renin-angiotensin system. Renal interstitial fibrosis, believed to be due to oxidative injury, is an end-stage process in the progression of chronic kidney disease. Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is known to regulate cellular oxidative stress and induce expression of antioxidant genes. In this study we investigated the role of Nrf2 in fimasartan-mediated antioxidant effects in mice with renal fibrosis induced by unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO).. UUO was induced surgically in mice, followed by either no treatment with fimasartan or the intraperitoneal administration of fimasartan (3 mg/kg/day). On day 7, we evaluated the changes in the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and the expression of Nrf2 and its downstream antioxidant genes, as well as renal inflammation, apoptosis, and fibrosis in the obstructed kidneys. The effect of fimasartan on the Nrf2 pathway was also investigated in HK-2 cells stimulated by tumor necrosis factor-α.. The mice with surgically induced UUO showed increased renal inflammation and fibrosis as evidenced by histopathologic findings and total collagen content in the kidney. These effects were attenuated in the obstructed kidneys of the fimasartan-treated mice. Fimasartan treatment inhibited RAS activation and the expression of Nox1, Nox2, and Nox4. In contrast, fimasartan upregulated the renal expression of Nrf2 and its downstream signaling molecules (such as NQO1; HO-1; GSTa2 and GSTm3). Furthermore, it increased the expression of antioxidant enzymes, including CuSOD, MnSOD, and catalase. The fimasartan-treated mice had significantly less apoptosis on TUNEL staining, with decreased levels of pro-apoptotic protein and increased levels of anti-apoptotic protein. In the HK-2 cells, fimasartan treatment inhibited RAS activation, decreased expression of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), and upregulated the Nrf2 pathway.. These results suggest that fimasartan has beneficial effects in reducing renal oxidative stress, inflammation, and fibrosis. Possible mechanisms to explain these effects are inhibition of RAS and MAPKs and upregulation of Nrf2 signaling, with subsequent induction of antioxidant pathways.

Topics: Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists; Animals; Apoptosis; Biphenyl Compounds; Fibrosis; Kidney; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Nephritis; NF-E2-Related Factor 2; Pyrimidines; Renin-Angiotensin System; Signal Transduction; Systole; Tetrazoles; Ureteral Obstruction