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Study identifies benefits, risks linked to popular weight-loss drugs

A recent study published in Nature Medicine analyzed over 2 million veterans taking GLP-1RA medications, finding benefits to cognitive and behavioral health while revealing increased risks for pancreatitis and kidney conditions. The study also showed decreased risks of seizures, addiction, suicidal ideation, and neurocognitive disorders.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalNature Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 20, 2025

Study of Sherpas highlights key role of kidneys in acclimatization to high altitudes

A study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that Sherpa participants had more rapid and larger magnitude blood acid-base acclimatization than lowlanders during incremental ascent to 4,300 metres. This suggests a key role for the kidneys in acclimatization to high altitude.

SourceMount Royal University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateDec 30, 2024

Does having more chronic conditions increase older adults’ risk of declining kidney function?

A new study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that older adults with multiple chronic conditions are at a higher risk of declining kidney function. The study followed 3,094 older individuals for 15 years and found an independent dose-response relationship between the number of chronic conditions and kidn...

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateDec 18, 2024

New model for replication of BKPyV virus, a major cause of kidney transplant failure

Researchers discovered that BKPyV's large tumor antigen is expressed after the first round of cellular DNA replication, suggesting new drug targets to prevent kidney transplant failure. The study offers a possible solution by targeting host proteins required for re-replication, reducing the likelihood of virus resistance.

SourceUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham·JournalPLOS Pathogens·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 6, 2024

Energy crisis in kidney cells

A new study published in Nature Communications reveals that energy imbalances in podocytes contribute to kidney damage and proteinuria after ischemia-reperfusion injury. The researchers found that interventions targeting mitochondrial dynamics held promise in alleviating foot process effacement and improving podocyte outcomes.

SourceInstitute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi), Kyoto University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 3, 2024

A new biomarker helps detect kidney fibrosis in transplant patients without invasive procedures

Researchers have identified a simpler and more accessible alternative to diagnosing kidney fibrosis in transplant patients: measuring vitronectin levels in urine. The study found that vitronectin levels were significantly higher in patients with fibrosis, and combining this measurement with traditional urine tests improved accuracy.

SourceGermans Trias i Pujol Research Institute·JournalJournal of Translational Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateDec 2, 2024

Study advances understanding of metformin effects on fetus

Metformin, a widely prescribed diabetes drug, may increase risks of obesity and diabetes in newborns when given to pregnant women. The study found that the drug accumulated in the fetal kidneys, liver, and other organs, leading to growth restriction, which has been linked to an elevated risk of obesity and insulin resistance in childhood.

SourceUniversity of Oklahoma·JournalAmerican Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 12, 2024

Johns Hopkins researchers use electronic diagnostic model to predict acute interstitial nephritis (AIN) in patients

Acute interstitial nephritis (AIN) is a common cause of acute kidney injury, often linked to medication use. Johns Hopkins researchers developed an electronic diagnostic model using machine learning to predict AIN in patients, showing improved accuracy in diagnosis and potential benefits for treatment decisions.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateNov 12, 2024

Teenage hormonal shift surprises scientists – opposite impacts on kidney injury

Researchers found that female sex hormones may increase susceptibility to kidney injury during puberty, contradicting the protective effects seen in adulthood. The study suggests that developmental changes driven by the hormonal surge in puberty may override the benefits of female sex hormones later in life.

SourceInstitute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi), Kyoto University·JournalKidney International·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 4, 2024

Unraveling the link between hepatitis and kidney damage

Researchers from the University of Zurich have discovered a link between hepatitis E and kidney damage, finding that viral envelope-antibody complexes can accumulate in kidney filters and cause glomerulonephritis. The study uses tissue samples from patients to understand the disease mechanism.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 31, 2024

Genomic variants that increase risk of kidney disease are found in nearly one-third of West Africans

A study found that nearly one-third of individuals from Ghana and Nigeria carry APOL1 variants that significantly increase the risk of chronic kidney disease. The researchers also discovered that having a single copy of the APOL1 gene increases the risk by 18%, while two copies increase it by 25%.

SourceNIH/National Human Genome Research Institute·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateOct 28, 2024

New AI tool set to be a “game changer” in improving outcome predictions for kidney transplant patients

A new AI-powered model has been developed to predict kidney transplant outcomes with high accuracy, offering hope for more efficient organ allocation and improved patient outcomes. The tool, UK-DTOP, outperforms existing methods in predicting outcomes for deceased-donor kidney transplants.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalRenal Failure·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 22, 2024

New study sheds light on lily toxicity in cats; outpatient treatment may be viable option

A recent study published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association has revealed new insights into treating cats exposed to toxic lilies. The study found no significant difference in acute kidney injury prevalence between inpatient and outpatient groups, suggesting that outpatient management may be a viable option fo...

SourceAmerican Veterinary Medical Association·JournalJournal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·TypeObservational study·DateOct 17, 2024

USC study finds link between PFAS, kidney function and gut health

Researchers at USC found a link between per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and kidney damage, which may be tied to dysregulation of the gut microbiome. The study, published in Science of the Total Environment, suggests that changes in gut bacteria and related metabolites can explain up to 50% of decreased kidney function.

SourceKeck School of Medicine of USC·JournalScience of The Total Environment·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 17, 2024

Kidney transplantation between donors and recipients with HIV is safe

A multicenter observational study in the US found that kidney transplantation from deceased donors with HIV to recipients with HIV was safe and noninferior to transplantation from donors without HIV. The study enrolled 198 adults with HIV and end-stage kidney disease, comparing outcomes between 99 donors with HIV and 99 without.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateOct 16, 2024

COVID-19 linked to increased risk of acute kidney disorders: New study reveals time-varying effects

A new study reveals a significant association between COVID-19 and acute kidney disorders, including acute kidney injury, peaking during the second week after infection. Healthcare providers should closely monitor kidney function in COVID-19 patients with moderate to severe cases, particularly during the first few weeks after infection.

SourceHealth Data Science·JournalHealth Data Science·DateSep 30, 2024