An AMPK activator as a therapeutic option for congenital nephrogenic diabetes insipidus
Janet D Klein, Ish Khanna, Sivaram Pillarisetti, Rachael A Hagan, Lauren M LaRocque, Eva L Rodriguez, Jeff M Sands
JCI Insight. 2021 Mar 16;146419. doi: 10.1172/jci.insight.146419. PMID: 33724959
Abstract: Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (NDI) patients produce large amounts of dilute urine. NDI can be congenital, resulting from mutations in the type-2 vasopressin receptor (V2R), or acquired, resulting from medications such as lithium. There are no good treatment options for NDI. Activation of PKA is disrupted in both congenital and acquired NDI, resulting in decreased aquaporin-2 phosphorylation and water reabsorption. We showed that adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) also phosphorylates aquaporin-2. We identified an activator of AMPK, NDI-5033, and tested its ability to increase urine concentration in animal models of NDI. NDI-5033 increased AMPK phosphorylation by 2.5 fold, confirming activation. It increased urine osmolality in tolvaptan-treated NDI rats by 30-50%, and in V2R knockout mice by 50%. Metformin, another AMPK activator, can cause hypoglycemia. It would be risky to treat NDI patients, especially children, with NDI-5033 if it caused hypoglycemia. Rats with NDI receiving NDI-5033 showed no hypoglycemia in a calorie-restricted, exercise protocol. Congenital NDI therapy needs to be effective long-term. We administered NDI-5033 for 3 weeks and saw no reduction in efficacy. We conclude that NDI-5033 can improve urine concentration in animals with NDI and holds promise as a potential therapy for patients with congenital NDI due to V2R mutations.
