Research on kidney function and disease. Covers kidney-failure prevention, gestational diabetes links, environmental risks, and gum-kidney connections.
A landmark trial found that older patients with kidney failure may benefit from a structured care approach without dialysis, offering an alternative to traditional treatment. The study, led by the University of Bristol, found that both approaches resulted in similar overall length and quality of life.
Dr. Petter Bjornstad will lead Pennington Biomedical Research Center in advancing research in metabolic disease, with a focus on improving the health and well-being of Louisiana residents. He brings exceptional expertise in diabetes and kidney disease, with a vision to translate world-class science into better health outcomes.
A new study has found that combining medications dobutamine and norepinephrine during septic shock surgery can significantly lower the risk of acute kidney injury. The trial, which tracked 584 adult patients, showed that the drug combination cut the risk of severe kidney damage in half, reducing moderate to severe kidney injuries.
Chronic kidney disease in China has seen rising prevalence, with 156 million people affected in 2023, largely driven by type-2 diabetes and hypertension, with obesity remaining a significant risk factor, and a disparity between men and women in disease burden
New research found that SGLT2 inhibitors reduce all-cause mortality and major adverse kidney events by 18% and 22%, respectively, in adults aged 80 years or older with CKD. However, these medications may also increase the risk of specific cardiac events and acute kidney injury in this demographic.
Researchers found that commonly used kidney function tests, such as estimated GFR, significantly underestimate chronic kidney disease in patients with cancer. This discrepancy can lead to inadequate treatment decisions, including dose adjustments for anticancer therapy. The study suggests that errors in GFR estimation may contribute to...
US-Mexico border counties experience disproportionately elevated rates of death from chronic kidney disease (CKD), with reduced availability of nephrologists. The findings highlight a growing kidney health disparity, with counties having the lowest nephrologist density having substantially higher mortality rates.
The Phase 2 BESTOW trial shows that tegoprubart preserves kidney function and improves quality of life in kidney transplant recipients. Tegoprubart-treated patients had greater kidney function benefits and improved health-related quality of life compared to tacrolimus-treated patients.
A new study links social determinants of health to kidney failure risk among critical illness survivors, highlighting racial and socioeconomic disparities. Neighborhood-level socioeconomic disadvantage is associated with an increased risk of kidney failure, particularly among residents of moderately and highly deprived neighborhoods.
A clinical trial found that adding potassium binder sodium zirconium cyclosilicate (SZC) improved quality of life and reduced pre-dialysis serum potassium levels in patients on maintenance hemodialysis. SZC also increased fruit intake without increasing total dietary potassium intake.
Multiple high-impact phase 3 clinical trials demonstrate significant improvements in kidney health, offering new treatments for patients. These trials have the potential to revolutionize kidney-related medical care and will be presented at the American Society of Nephrology Kidney Week 2026.
A recent clinical trial found that dietary acid reduction with fruits and vegetables was associated with more favorable long-term clinical outcomes and health care utilization than standard treatment with sodium bicarbonate or usual care. Participants who received fruits and vegetables had fewer hospitalizations, emergency department v...
A clinical decision support tool, Treat CKD, has been developed to improve the diagnosis and treatment of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in primary care. The tool accurately confirms Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes-based CKD risk classification and provides guideline-concordant treatment recommendations.
A prospective study found that the ROCKY standardized protocol is safe for high-risk patients, with a low rate of severe complications and no procedure-related deaths. The protocol's implementation may broaden access to kidney biopsy for vulnerable patient populations.
Researchers propose a voluntary program that targets waitlisted candidates aged 65 or older with 'marginal' kidneys, prioritizing them over younger patients. The redesign aims to improve access to harder-to-place kidneys, potentially preventing over 190 deaths annually.
The study found that disrupting PLA2G15 reduced stress-induced cellular senescence in mouse kidney cells while altering the composition of phospholipids involved in lysosomal function. This suggests a possible connection between lipid metabolism, mitochondrial pathways, and kidney aging.
Researchers identified inflammatory pathways that drive kidney damage in diabetic kidney disease, suggesting a potential new approach for protecting the kidneys. Drug treatments targeting dysregulated inflammatory pathways protected kidney organoids from damage, even when exposed to high sugar levels.
Researchers found that rituximab treatment increases mitochondrial energy production and reduces cell stress in T cells, leading to improved response rates in patients with nephrotic syndrome. This discovery could help predict patient response to treatment and identify suitable candidates for early remission.
A multicenter study found that early rasburicase treatment can significantly reduce the risk of dialysis and death in adults with tumor lysis syndrome. The study analyzed data from 1,276 patients and showed that early rasburicase treatment was associated with lower 90-day mortality and faster return to cancer therapy.
A recent study published in JAMA Network Open finds a strong association between gestational diabetes and an increased risk of postpartum cardiovascular, kidney, and metabolic disorders. The research highlights the importance of monitoring and managing gestational diabetes to prevent long-term health consequences for mothers.
A recent study by researchers at Nagoya University found that low-frequency noise below 100 Hz can cause blood vessel damage to kidneys in mice. The study suggests that the frequency of noise matters more than its loudness, with high-frequency noise having no effect on kidney function.
Researchers found that severe periodontitis was associated with reduced kidney function and increased albuminuria, even at early stages of chronic kidney disease. Systemic inflammation partially explained this relationship, but additional biological mechanisms are also likely involved.
Researchers led by Dr. Nima Nassiri have successfully transplanted a human bladder for the first time, with patient Oscar Larrainzar thriving a year after the operation. The breakthrough procedure has paved the way for a new field of surgery and offers hope to patients with end-stage bladder disease.
Researchers have identified a previously unrecognized way the kidneys regulate water balance, which could lead to improved treatments for polycystic kidney disease. The discovery reveals an alternative mechanism that operates independently of the hormone vasopressin.
Researchers at UCLA may have discovered a new way to heal damaged kidneys by blocking the protein ENPP1. Blocking this protein speeds up repair after kidney injury in mice, according to a recent study published in Cell Stem Cell.
Researchers propose using low-dose lithium orotate to slow dementia progression in mild cognitive impairment, leveraging established neuroprotective mechanisms. The approach aims to mitigate kidney and thyroid risks associated with higher-dose formulations, offering a potentially accessible and inexpensive treatment option.
In an exploratory analysis, finerenone was found to slow kidney function decline, reduce albuminuria, and lower the risk of kidney failure or substantial loss of kidney function in patients with glomerular diseases. These findings suggest a crucial role for finerenone in preserving kidney function in this population.
In patients with advanced chronic kidney disease at high cardiovascular risk, low-dose rivaroxaban did not reduce the composite risk of a cardiovascular outcome. Major bleeding rates were significantly higher in the low-dose rivaroxaban group compared to the placebo group.
A new study found that dihydropyridine calcium-channel blockers (DCCBs) may be associated with poorer kidney outcomes in people with type 2 diabetes, even among those receiving modern kidney-protective treatments. DCCBs were linked to a higher risk of major adverse kidney events.
Adults with lower measured glomerular filtration rates had a higher risk of all-cause mortality, kidney failure, and major adverse cardiovascular events. Lower GFR values were also associated with increased hospitalization for heart failure and acute kidney injury.
The Phase III FIND-CKD trial found that finerenone significantly slowed kidney function decline and reduced the risk of cardiovascular-kidney outcomes in adults with non-diabetic chronic kidney disease. Finerenone also demonstrated a consistent effect across prespecified subgroups, supporting its broad applicability in these patients.
The FLOW trial shows that semaglutide significantly improved health-related quality of life in adults with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease. Health utility scores and self-rated general health scores improved with semaglutide, but declined with placebo.
A pioneering clinical trial demonstrates CAR T cells can safely desensitize highly sensitized patients, making kidney transplantation possible. Two patients with end-stage kidney disease successfully received kidney transplants after years of waiting.
Briana Dery, a 33-year-old woman from Michigan, underwent the rare procedure at Henry Ford Hospital in January 2026. The surgery involved removing her failed intestines and implanting a new one, followed by connecting it to a new kidney, making her the first person in Michigan to receive both transplants in a single operation.
Researchers discovered a molecular link between multicentric carpotarsal osteolysis (MCTO) and kidney disease, highlighting pathogenic MAFB accumulation and PI3K/AKT signaling. Treatment with imatinib suppressed AKT phosphorylation and attenuated glomerular injury in mice.
A cluster randomized trial found comparable improvements in 6-month outcomes between intervention and control groups, indicating no independent effect of the clinical decision support system. The study suggests that other factors may be responsible for the observed benefits.
Creatine supplementation has been shown to increase muscle energy and improve cognitive function, particularly in populations with lower baseline creatine levels. Emerging evidence also explores its potential therapeutic applications for conditions like Parkinson's disease and menopause-related muscle loss.
A study published in Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution found that optimal birth weight for minimal kidney damage during extreme endurance events is around eight pounds. Individuals with lower or higher birth weights may face a greater risk of kidney stress or damage.
A Mayo Clinic study provides preclinical evidence for a targeted approach to managing immune-related kidney inflammation triggered by immunotherapy. The findings suggest that TNF-alpha blockade may improve markers of kidney injury and could be explored as a preventive measure.
A new blood test identifies African Americans carrying high-risk APOL1 variants at risk of developing kidney failure years before clinical symptoms appear. The test uses circulating protein markers linked to kidney injury and fibrosis, outperforming existing clinical prediction tools.
This study reveals that HDAC3 epigenetically represses RASAL1, a key antifibrotic regulator, leading to enhanced fibroblast activation and extracellular matrix deposition in renal fibrosis. Restoring RASAL1 expression or inhibiting HDAC3 activity attenuates renal fibrosis.
Researchers developed an interpretable machine learning algorithm, scOMM, to classify cell types consistently across different single-cell methods. The integration strategies and scOMM establish a robust approach for cell atlas generation in complex tissues, leading to the discovery of previously undetected rare cell types.
A post hoc analysis found that tirzepatide was associated with a lower incidence of a broad composite cardiovascular and kidney endpoint. The study compared tirzepatide with dulaglutide in patients with diabetes and established cardiovascular disease.
Researchers found that treating severe fetal megacystis with a vesicoamniotic shunt in the first trimester can improve survival rates and kidney function. In the study, 75% of children were born alive and 68% survived their first year of life, with most showing normal or only slightly impaired kidney function.
A new study suggests that using virtual reality (VR) to explain medical procedures can help patients better understand their treatment and reduce anxiety. The research tested VR as part of the consent process for a procedure to treat kidney stones, with patients reporting improved understanding and reduced anxiety after the experience.
A nationwide intervention has led to increased kidney transplants among Black patients, with a 5.3 transplant increase per 1,000 listings. The study found that wait time modifications, required by a national policy, resulted in a 1.7-year gain in priority status for Black candidates.
Researchers identified a drug-and-supplement combination therapy that reduces senescent cells, inflammation, and injury in diabetic kidney disease. The treatment approach involves senolytics, which selectively target senescent cells.
Cancer cell-derived small extracellular vesicles can be excreted into urine, according to researchers who tracked their journey in mouse models. The study reveals that glomerular cells actively transport sEVs across the filtration barrier, supporting their use in emerging urine-based cancer diagnostics.
A study found that COVID-19 infection significantly increases the risk of acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease, and kidney failure in US adults. The research used machine learning models to analyze data from over three million patients, revealing a 2.3-times higher risk of acute kidney injury compared to influenza.
The study found that increased community disadvantage leads to fewer options for receiving hemodialysis and more likelihood of living without nearby dialysis facilities. Patients with end-stage kidney disease in these areas have limited access to essential care services.
A cohort study of 3,230 kidney transplant recipients found that transplantation reverses declining employment income, enabling meaningful economic recovery. The findings highlight the socioeconomic value of transplantation and inform policies to support patients during pretransplant vulnerability.
A cohort study of patients with chronic kidney disease found that more advanced stages of the condition are associated with a higher incidence of cognitive impairment. The study underscores CKD severity as a key risk factor for cognitive decline across the entire spectrum of CKD.
The Rice lab will produce bioprinted, vascularized kidney tissue that augments renal function in patients with kidney disease. The implantable kidney tissue will be made from a patient's own cells combined with a bioink that supports the long-term viability of the implanted cells.
A new study offers hope that kidney transplant patients may one day have a more effective treatment regimen. The Phase 2 pilot study showed improved kidney functioning in all patients who completed the study, with no patients experiencing rejection due to antibodies produced by the immune system.
Researchers discover GPX3 plays a central role in limiting inflammation, oxidative damage, and renal dysfunction following ischemic insult. Restoring GPX3 expression improves renal functional indices, reduces histopathological injury, and alleviates tubular epithelial cell death.
A UCLA-led team has discovered a novel mechanism of kidney stone formation involving bacteria, challenging the long-held assumption that stones develop solely through chemical and physical processes.
A recent study by King's College London found that diagnosis rates for depression, asthma, and osteoporosis remained lower than expected after the COVID-19 pandemic. The study analyzed data from over 29 million people in England and found that diagnosis rates recovered differently across ethnic and socioeconomic groups.
A comparative effectiveness study found that SGLT2 inhibitors were associated with a lower risk of chronic kidney disease and acute kidney injury compared to GLP-1 receptor agonists. These findings suggest that SGLT2 inhibitor treatment may be an effective strategy for preventing kidney disease in individuals with type 2 diabetes.
Researchers from Institute of Science Tokyo developed 'tubuloids' to capture the slow progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD), replicating key features such as DNA damage, cellular senescence, inflammation, and fibrosis. This realistic platform provides a new way to develop and test treatments for millions globally.
A targeted treatment approach significantly reduces moderate and severe acute kidney injury after major surgery in high-risk patients identified by biomarkers. The study shows that a closely monitored set of clinical measures provides effective protection in the first hours after surgery.