Narrative review of the effects of antidiabetic drugs on albuminuria

Diabetes mellitus is the most prevalent metabolic disorder worldwide. Glycemic control is the main focus of antidiabetic therapy. However, there are data suggesting that some antidiabetic drugs may have intrinsic beneficial renal effects and protect against the development and progression of albuminuria, thus minimizing the risk of diabetic nephropathy. These pharmacological agents can suppress upstream molecular pathways involved in the pathophysiology of diabetes-induced renal dysfunction such as oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, and apoptosis. In this narrative review, the pathophysiology of albuminuria in patients with diabetic nephropathy is discussed. Furthermore, the renoprotective effects of antidiabetic drugs, focusing on albuminuria, are reviewed.