Effect of Montelukast on Kidney and Vascular Function in Type 1 Diabetes

Kidney disease is a common problem among people with type 1 diabetes and can lead to disability, dialysis, and early death. Inflammation plays a key role in the development of kidney disease in type 1 diabetes and targeting leukotrienes, inflammatory chemicals the body releases in response to allergic reactions, may represent a promising therapy to slow the progression of diabetic kidney disease. The current proposal will investigate whether montelukast, a leukotriene blocker, lowers increased levels of protein in the urine (an early marker of diabetic kidney disease), and improves kidney and cardiovascular function in people with type 1 diabetes and kidney disease.