Thyroid hormone beta receptor agonists for treatment of kidney disease: a promising agent?

Abstract

Background: Chronic kidney disease is a common disorder affecting a significant portion of the adult population with high mortality and morbidity. Obesity and hyperlipidemia are prevalent in chronic kidney disease, and they may trigger fat accumulation in renal parenchyma and eventually fatty kidney. Chronic kidney disease and fatty kidney are also strongly associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Because they both lead to detrimental effects on organ function, they both need to be treated effectively to improve the outcome. Aim: In this narrative review, we have hypothesized that thyroid hormone beta receptor agonists, a novel drug group, may potentially be beneficial in the management of chronic kidney disease due to its promising outcomes among patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, a condition sharing multiple common underlying pathophysiological mechanisms. Results and Conclusion: Thyroid hormone beta receptors are abundantly expressed in liver and kidney tissues, while both nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and chronic kidney disease share various similar pathophysiological mechanisms and triggers. Therefore, thyroid hormone beta receptor agonists may become a promising tool in the management of patients with chronic kidney disease.