Disclosed is the use of a pharmaceutical composition for the manufacture of a medicament for improving kidney function in a subject, or for preventing end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in a patient, wherein said medicament is formulated for administration to said subject and wherein said medicament comprises a compound which is CDDO methyl ester (methyl 2-cyano-3,12-dioxoleana-1,9(11)-dien-28-oate), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.