Here’s news of a discovery that just might slow the progression of kidney disease, one of the most serious complications for patients with diabetes. Researchers at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto, have found a protein associated with kidney disease which can potentially be targeted with drugs in the early stages of the disease, to prevent end-stage kidney failure. The study was led by Doctor George Fantus. His team discovered that a protein called “SARK” can lead to the build up of scar tissue, which diminishes the kidney’s filtering ability to eliminate waste and excess fluid from the body. Dr. Fantus says if the progression of kidney disease can be prevented early on, patients who are at risk are potentially saved the long term burden of chronic kidney dialysis and transplantation. The study is published in “Diabetes”, the journal of the American Diabetes Association.