Researchers from Keio University in Japan have discovered how statins and the protein KL4, found in endothelial cells lining the blood vessels of the kidney, can help prevent acute kidney injury. Experiments in mice showed that endothelial KL4 (Kruppel-like factor 4) protects kidneys by suppressing inflammation and represents a promising therapeutic target for AKI. Mice lacking KL4 fared worse than controls after acute kidney injury. Statins improved kidney injury in control mice, but had no effect on mice lacking KL4. The scientists found that KL4 was essential to the protective effect and, in fact, statins increase the expression of KL4.
Sources:
Statins Help Prevent Acute Kidney Injury Through Key Cellular Protein, Medical Xpress, October 15, 2015
Endothelial Kruppel-Like Factor 4 Mediates the Protective Effect of Statins Against Ischemic AKI, Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, October 15, 2015