Minimal Change Podocytopathy with Coexistent Thin Glomerular Basement Membrane following Exposure to Semaglutide

Introduction: Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) are FDA-approved for weight loss and are increasingly prescribed for patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Multiple studies have demonstrated desirable renal and cardiovascular benefits from these novel agent...

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Main Authors: Karthik Kovvuru, Swetha Rani Kanduri, Johnathon Phillips, Juan Carlos Velez
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Karger Publishers 2025-01-01
Series:Glomerular Diseases
Online Access:https://karger.com/article/doi/10.1159/000543357
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author Karthik Kovvuru
Swetha Rani Kanduri
Johnathon Phillips
Juan Carlos Velez
author_facet Karthik Kovvuru
Swetha Rani Kanduri
Johnathon Phillips
Juan Carlos Velez
author_sort Karthik Kovvuru
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) are FDA-approved for weight loss and are increasingly prescribed for patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Multiple studies have demonstrated desirable renal and cardiovascular benefits from these novel agents. So far, a few case reports of acute tubular injury and acute interstitial nephritis have been reported with GLP-1RA. Podocytopathies in association with semaglutide are rare. In this case report, we present a case of nephrotic syndrome that developed after exposure to semaglutide and propose potential pathophysiological mechanisms underlying this rare renal complication. Case Presentation: Herein, we report a novel case of a 43-year-old female who was evaluated in the nephrology clinic for abrupt onset of bilateral lower extremity edema and foamy urine, a few weeks after exposure to semaglutide. She was diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome and subsequently underwent a kidney biopsy, which revealed features suggestive of minimal change disease, along with coexistent thin basement membrane disease. Conclusion: GLP-1RAs have been increasingly prescribed due to their proven pleiotropic benefits, including improvements in albuminuria, glycemic control, weight loss, and cardioprotective effects. Despite the considerable benefits of GLP-1RAs, it is essential to recognize novel side effects.
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institution Kabale University
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publishDate 2025-01-01
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series Glomerular Diseases
spelling doaj-art-a90be6326e9c41c8a0e2a466171aa3ae2025-08-20T03:49:41ZengKarger PublishersGlomerular Diseases2673-36332025-01-015110310810.1159/000543357Minimal Change Podocytopathy with Coexistent Thin Glomerular Basement Membrane following Exposure to SemaglutideKarthik KovvuruSwetha Rani KanduriJohnathon PhillipsJuan Carlos Velez Introduction: Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) are FDA-approved for weight loss and are increasingly prescribed for patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Multiple studies have demonstrated desirable renal and cardiovascular benefits from these novel agents. So far, a few case reports of acute tubular injury and acute interstitial nephritis have been reported with GLP-1RA. Podocytopathies in association with semaglutide are rare. In this case report, we present a case of nephrotic syndrome that developed after exposure to semaglutide and propose potential pathophysiological mechanisms underlying this rare renal complication. Case Presentation: Herein, we report a novel case of a 43-year-old female who was evaluated in the nephrology clinic for abrupt onset of bilateral lower extremity edema and foamy urine, a few weeks after exposure to semaglutide. She was diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome and subsequently underwent a kidney biopsy, which revealed features suggestive of minimal change disease, along with coexistent thin basement membrane disease. Conclusion: GLP-1RAs have been increasingly prescribed due to their proven pleiotropic benefits, including improvements in albuminuria, glycemic control, weight loss, and cardioprotective effects. Despite the considerable benefits of GLP-1RAs, it is essential to recognize novel side effects. https://karger.com/article/doi/10.1159/000543357
spellingShingle Karthik Kovvuru
Swetha Rani Kanduri
Johnathon Phillips
Juan Carlos Velez
Minimal Change Podocytopathy with Coexistent Thin Glomerular Basement Membrane following Exposure to Semaglutide
Glomerular Diseases
title Minimal Change Podocytopathy with Coexistent Thin Glomerular Basement Membrane following Exposure to Semaglutide
title_full Minimal Change Podocytopathy with Coexistent Thin Glomerular Basement Membrane following Exposure to Semaglutide
title_fullStr Minimal Change Podocytopathy with Coexistent Thin Glomerular Basement Membrane following Exposure to Semaglutide
title_full_unstemmed Minimal Change Podocytopathy with Coexistent Thin Glomerular Basement Membrane following Exposure to Semaglutide
title_short Minimal Change Podocytopathy with Coexistent Thin Glomerular Basement Membrane following Exposure to Semaglutide
title_sort minimal change podocytopathy with coexistent thin glomerular basement membrane following exposure to semaglutide
url https://karger.com/article/doi/10.1159/000543357
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AT johnathonphillips minimalchangepodocytopathywithcoexistentthinglomerularbasementmembranefollowingexposuretosemaglutide
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