A group of scientists from the University of Bristol, United Kingdom, have discovered an enzyme that is a ‘master regulator’ of kidney function, which could activate renal failure if excessively suppressed.

According to news-medical.net, the discovery published in Nature Communications revealed that Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 affects the function of podocyte cells, which enables the kidneys to filter blood crucially.

The study finders noted that in the podocyte, the GSK3 enzyme stops the body from leaking protein into the urine and prevents the development of kidney failure.

However, they stressed that when it is extremely suppressed, GSK3 is not present in sufficient quantities and this is highly harmful during the development of the kidney and in the fully mature kidney, increasing the likelihood of renal failure.

The researchers identified lithium, one of the drugs that is known to suppress GSK3 and commonly used as a psychiatric medication.

They said that some patients taking these drugs for a long time, or at high doses, have been shown to leak large amounts of protein into their urine and develop kidney failure.

The leader of the study, Prof Richard Coward, said, “We think that patients who are taking lithium treatment now should regularly have a simple urine test to measure the amount of albumin they are excreting, as too much albumin is a sign of kidney disease”

“We think that patients who are taking lithium treatment now should regularly have a simple urine test to measure the amount of albumin they are excreting, as too much albumin is a sign of kidney disease.

“If these patients have increased levels of protein in their urine, they should consider reducing the dose of their lithium or switching medications. We think this could prevent some of them from developing kidney failure.

“Our research further suggests that it would be sensible to try and develop drugs that selectively inhibit one of the two forms of GSK3.”