Decline is not inevitable.
A daily, evidence-graded view of everything moving in kidney research : the drugs that slow decline, the science of regeneration, and the mind-body work.
Two early studies offer hints but no proven treatments yet.
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A low-protein diet study is promising but has not been checked by other experts yet.
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A mouse study found a way to protect kidneys during infection, but it has not been tested in people.
Today's news is mostly preliminary. Researchers are looking at diet and infection protection, but neither has been confirmed in human trials. These findings are early steps and do not change current care guidelines.
Lower-limb neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) for adults with kidney failure undergoing dialysis.
This is a large review of studies on electrical muscle stimulation for people on dialysis. It found that the evidence is still uncertain. We do not know yet if this treatment helps people keep their muscle strength.
Glucosuria as a Marker of Adherence to Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitors and Clinical Outcomes in Real-World Practice.
This study looked at 45,711 people taking SGLT2 drugs, a class of medicine that protects the kidneys. It found that checking for sugar in the urine is a good way to see if a person is actually taking the pill. This is an observational study, so it shows a link but not proof of cause. It helps doctors know if a patient is taking their medicine.
The clinical features of anti-CNTN1 antibodies associated autoimmune nodopathies with nephropathy: a case series.
This study looked at 11 people with a rare nerve condition and kidney disease. It is a case series, which is a small observational study. It shows a link between the two conditions but not proof of cause.
Frailty Syndrome in Non-geriatric Dialysis Patients in Georgia: Prevalence and Clinical Correlates in a Cross-Sectional Study.
This study looked at 50 younger adults on dialysis to see how many were frail, or physically weak. It is an observational study, so it shows a link but not proof of cause. It helps doctors understand frailty in this group.
Association between blood urea nitrogen-to-albumin ratio and kidney stones: A cross-sectional study based on NHANES
This preprint looked at a blood test ratio called BAR and its link to kidney stones. It used data from the NHANES survey. It is an observational study, so it shows a link, not proof of cause. The study is not yet peer-reviewed, so the findings are preliminary.
Hepatitis E virus immunoglobulin G seropositivity and kidney dysfunction among United States adults
This preprint checked if past exposure to Hepatitis E virus is linked to kidney problems in US adults. It used data from national health surveys. It is an observational study, so it shows a link, not proof of cause. The study is not yet peer-reviewed, so the findings are preliminary.
African-specific variants at the GATM locus and genetic bias in creatinine-based GFR estimation
This study explains why kidney function tests can be less accurate for people of African ancestry. A specific gene change causes the body to make more creatinine, a waste product. This raises the creatinine level in the blood without actually changing how well the kidneys filter. The result is that standard tests may underestimate kidney function in these patients. This finding helps doctors interpret test results more fairly.
Association between central thyroid hormone dysregulation and chronic kidney disease in type 2 diabetes: a cross-sectional study.
This study looked at 2,759 people with type 2 diabetes. It found a link between thyroid hormone issues and kidney disease. This shows a connection, but it does not prove that one causes the other.
Chronic Kidney Disease Severity and Progression to Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy.
This study looked at people with type 2 diabetes and eye disease. It found a link between kidney disease and worse eye problems. The study is observational, so it shows a connection but not proof of cause. It does not test a new treatment.
Clinical manifestations, treatment and prognosis analysis of childhood ANCA-associated vasculitis.
This study reviewed children with a rare blood vessel inflammation. It looked at how the disease affects their kidneys. It is an observational study, so it shows links but not proof of cause. It helps doctors understand this rare condition better.
Efficacy and safety of telitacicept combined with standard of care in patients with proliferative lupus nephritis: a real-world retrospective study.
This study looked at 112 people with lupus kidney disease. It compared a drug called telitacicept with standard care. It is a retrospective study, so it shows a link, not proof of cause. The drug may help control the disease.
CONTRAST-INDUCED NEPHROPATHY IN PATIENTS WITH STABLE CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE AND PROGNOSIS OF CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE
This study looked at 462 people with heart disease who had a dye test. It checked if the dye caused kidney damage. It also tracked what happened to them over one year. This is an observational study, so it shows a link but not proof of cause. It helps us understand the risks of these tests.
Perinatal Risk and Outcomes Among Individuals Insured by Medicare
This study compared pregnant women on Medicare with those on other insurance. It looked at health risks and baby outcomes. This is an observational study, so it shows a link but not proof of cause. It helps us understand the challenges for pregnant people with chronic conditions.
Arginase 2 deficiency mitigates sepsis-associated acute kidney injury by alleviating lipid accumulation.
In mice, blocking a specific protein helped protect kidneys during severe infection. This was done in animals, not people yet. The study shows a link between this protein and kidney damage, but it is not proof of cause in humans.
Cadherin-11 and the mechanobiology of the fibrogenic niche
Researchers found that blocking a protein called cadherin-11 can limit scarring in the kidneys. This was tested in animal models of kidney injury, not in people yet. The protein helps cells generate force, which drives the scarring process. Stopping this process preserved kidney function in the animals. This suggests a new target for future drugs to prevent kidney damage.
Increased mechanical load remodels the glomerular matrix and accelerates Alport kidney disease: processed data and analysis code
This study used mice to see how extra stress on the kidney changes its structure. It found that this stress can speed up a specific type of kidney disease in the animals. The data is from lab tests, not from people yet.
Microvascular dysfunction in chronic kidney disease: A feasibility study.
This study checks if a light-based tool can measure blood flow in the legs of people with kidney disease. It is a feasibility study, which means it tests if the method works. It does not report results on how to slow kidney decline yet.
Advancing the Future of Kidney Care: NKF Hosts Capitol Hill Roundtable on Kidney Xenotransplantation
This is a news article about a meeting on kidney transplants from animals. It is a discussion, not a study with results. There are no new findings to report yet.
Frailty in children with chronic kidney disease and kidney failure
This commentary discusses frailty in children with kidney disease. It notes that frailty in kids looks different than in adults, often showing as lost growth or development. The authors argue for early screening to catch these issues. They suggest that childhood frailty may be reversible, unlike in adults. There are no new trial results in this piece.
Somatostatin analogues for ADPKD: ending the confusing story of mGFR and eGFR
This commentary reviews a recent trial of a drug called lanreotide for polycystic kidney disease. The drug did not slow the decline in measured kidney function. However, it did show a slight effect on estimated kidney function. The authors discuss why these two measures can give different results. This piece is an opinion on the trial data, not a new study.