Researchers from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai have uncovered a gene that could prove to be a promising target to stop the progression of kidney disease. Using a mouse model, the scientists identified genes that are overexpressed as kidney disease worsens, hitting upon the RTN1 gene as a key culprit in disease … Continue reading Study Uncovers Gene That Causes Kidney Cells to Self-Destruct
NSAIDs May Increase Kidney Disease Risk for Hypertensive Patients
A study from Taiwan warns that common pain medications known as NSAIDs may increase the risk of kidney disease in those with high blood pressure. NSAIDs or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs include aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), and naproxen (Aleve). High blood pressure is already a risk factor for kidney disease. The NSAIDs themselves can cause an … Continue reading NSAIDs May Increase Kidney Disease Risk for Hypertensive Patients
Stem Cell Therapy Points to Acute Kidney Injury Treatment
Researchers from Kyoto University in Japan have employed a novel stem cell therapy that could lead to a treatment for acute kidney injury (AKI). Working with a mouse model of AKI, the scientists administered renal progenitor cells—early, short-lived kidney cells—created from human induced pluripotent stem cells. Interestingly, the transplanted progenitor cells did not need to … Continue reading Stem Cell Therapy Points to Acute Kidney Injury Treatment
Age-Related Cellular Signal Puts Kidneys at Risk
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