Scientists from the University of Missouri have identified a cellular signal that makes aging kidneys vulnerable to injury. They found that low levels of a protein called alpha (E) catenin can occur with age, triggering first an increase in kidney cells, then the mass death of healthy cells in a process called apoptosis. Through apoptosis, … Continue reading Age-Related Cellular Signal Puts Kidneys at Risk
Zinc Levels May Contribute to Kidney Stones
A team of researchers led by scientists from UC San Francisco has discovered that zinc levels play a part in kidney stone formation and could represent a promising therapeutic target. Working with a fruit fly model as well as humans, they examined the relationship between zinc and the minerals that form kidney stones, such as … Continue reading Zinc Levels May Contribute to Kidney Stones
Study Shows How Kidneys Protect Themselves from Inflammation
Researchers at the Medical College of Georgia at Georgia Regents University have discovered how the kidneys protect themselves from damaging inflammation. In mouse studies, they found that kidney podocyte cells produce the enzyme IDO in response to inflammation. Human kidney patients also exhibit high levels of the enzyme. Blocking IDO in experiments with mice led … Continue reading Study Shows How Kidneys Protect Themselves from Inflammation
New PKD Treatment Targets Kidney Blood Vessels
Researchers from the University of Manchester and University College London believe targeting the small blood vessels surrounding renal cysts could lead to a new treatment for polycystic kidney disease. They uncovered important abnormalities in the network of these blood vessels in mouse models of the most common form of PKD (ADPKD) and the rare form … Continue reading New PKD Treatment Targets Kidney Blood Vessels
Research Breakthrough in Fight Against Membranous Nephropathy
University of Manchester researchers have made a major breakthrough that could lead to two new treatments for membranous nephropathy or MN, a rare kidney disease in which the immune system attacks a protein found in the kidneys, causing thickening of the small blood vessels in the kidney, proteinuria, and sometimes kidney failure. The scientists discovered … Continue reading Research Breakthrough in Fight Against Membranous Nephropathy
Scientists Discover How Renalase Protects Kidneys, Heart
Yale School of Medicine researchers have uncovered how renalase, a protein produced by the kidneys, protects the cells of the kidneys and heart from injury. In 2005, Yale researchers discovered and named the protein, which regulates heart rate and blood pressure. Early research showed that patients with kidney disease had low blood levels of renalase. … Continue reading Scientists Discover How Renalase Protects Kidneys, Heart