A team of nephrologists and researchers at University of Miami Miller School of Medicine have discovered a factor in the blood that may be responsible for up to two-thirds of the cases of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis or FSGS. They found that an excess of serum soluble urokinase receptor (suPAR) activates a protein in the kidney … Continue reading Researchers Discover Cause of FSGS
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Rac1 Gene Implicated in Salt-Induced High Blood Pressure
Researchers at University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine have uncovered a new mechanism behind salt-sensitive hypertension. They found that a high-salt diet fed to salt-sensitive rats activates a gene called Rac1 in the kidneys; this leads to increased activity of the MR (Mineralocorticoid Receptor) protein and causes elevated blood pressure and kidney damage. Their … Continue reading Rac1 Gene Implicated in Salt-Induced High Blood Pressure
Src Gene May Be Key to Helping Kidney Cancer Patients
Researchers from Oregon Health and Science University Knight Cancer Institute have found that a gene called Src plays a role in helping some kidney cancers grow. The researchers are now looking at existing, approved drugs that may inhibit Src activity in cancer cells. In addition, they have developed a method of identifying patients that could … Continue reading Src Gene May Be Key to Helping Kidney Cancer Patients
UKRO’s Ron Taubman Appointed to OPTN/UNOS Kidney Committee
On July 1, 2011, Ronald S. Taubman, Board Member and Chair of UKRO’s Development Committee was appointed to a two-year term on the OPTN/UNOS Kidney Committee. Ron has been involved in local, state, and national organ and tissue donation and transplant issues for the last 10 years. He previously served as the Region 5 Representative … Continue reading UKRO’s Ron Taubman Appointed to OPTN/UNOS Kidney Committee
Older Living Kidney Donors in the News
Recent stories about older living kidney donors, including some with medical issues, are truly inspiring and encouraging given the organ shortage. In an interesting article, Stephen Textor, M.D., Professor of Medicine at Mayo Clinic, describes his experience with donors with moderate essential hypertension, who would normally be excluded from donating. – Medical Abnormalities Need Not … Continue reading Older Living Kidney Donors in the News
Dopamine Produced in Kidneys Critical to Maintaining Normal Blood Pressure
Dopamine, an important neurotransmitter that helps to control the brain’s reward and pleasure centers, is often studied in connection with neurological disorders like Parkinson’s disease. Now researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have discovered that dopamine produced within the kidneys, rather than the brain, is critical to maintaining normal blood pressure and salt and water … Continue reading Dopamine Produced in Kidneys Critical to Maintaining Normal Blood Pressure