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U of M Medical School research team finds novel drug improves outcomes for patients with rare kidney disorder

Researchers discovered that patients with FSGS who received sparsentan treatment experienced improved kidney function and reduced proteinuria, a key indicator of kidney damage. The study suggests sparsentan may be a potential new treatment option for the disorder, offering hope for patients affected by FSGS.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota Medical School·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateNov 3, 2023

Clinical trial finds live vaccinations safe for liver, kidney transplant recipients

A new study published in JAMA Network Open found live vaccinations safe and effective for children who have received liver or kidney transplants, offering protection against life-threatening conditions. The study showed high antibody levels and minimal adverse events following vaccination.

SourceCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 16, 2023

Roundup ingredient connected to epidemic levels of chronic kidney disease

A Duke University study found glyphosate, active in Roundup, in high levels of wells supplying drinking water to Sri Lankan communities plagued by chronic kidney disease (CKDu). Elevated fluoride and vanadium also linked to CKDu were discovered. Glyphosate's persistence in hard water poses concerns for exposure.

SourceDuke University·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 11, 2023

Brief dialysis may be best for some kidney patients

A study by UC San Francisco researchers found that patients with acute kidney injury on outpatient dialysis may not need lifelong treatment if they have the potential to recover. The study tracked data from over 1,700 patients and showed that approximately three-quarters of those who recovered kidney function discontinued dialysis with...

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateSep 28, 2023

New research: Acute kidney damage spreads over time

A new study from Aarhus University found that acute kidney injury causes significant cell death in kidneys, which then spreads to healthy tissue over several days. This finding may increase the risk of patients developing chronic kidney damage and highlights the need for timely intervention measures.

SourceAarhus University·JournalNature Communications·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 26, 2023

Mixing donor and recipient immune systems creates tolerance of transplanted kidneys

Researchers at UW–Madison and Stanford University developed a new approach to increase donor and recipient biocompatibility, inducing tolerance in transplanted kidneys. Two monkeys with just one match among key protein strings maintained chimeric immune systems for over four years without rejection or graft-versus-host disease.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalTransplant International·DateSep 13, 2023

Researchers grow embryonic humanized kidneys inside pigs for 28 days

Scientists have created chimeric embryos containing a combination of human and pig cells, which developed into structurally normal kidneys with 50-60% human cells. The researchers successfully grew humanized organs inside pigs, offering new possibilities for studying human development and developmental diseases.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Stem Cell·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 7, 2023

Why are male kidneys more vulnerable to disease than female kidneys? USC Stem Cell-led mouse study points to testosterone

A USC Stem Cell-led mouse study reveals that lowering testosterone can improve the resilience of male kidneys by reducing their vulnerability to disease. The researchers also found that three months of calorie restriction has a similar effect, suggesting new potential treatments for kidney diseases.

SourceKeck School of Medicine of USC·JournalDevelopmental Cell·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 5, 2023

Cell interactions in abnormal structures in aged kidneys

Researchers investigated the role of tertiary lymphoid tissues in aging kidney disease, identifying proinflammatory interactions between renal cells and immune cells that promote inflammation and injury. The study suggests targeting proinflammatory cytokines for potential therapeutic strategies.

SourceKyoto University·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 30, 2023

AI helps ID cancer risk factors

A novel study from the University of South Australia identified 84 features that could signal increased cancer risk in a dataset of 459,169 UK Biobank participants. The study found several biomarkers linked to cancer risk, including urinary microalbumin and high levels of cystatin C.

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalEuropean Journal of Clinical Investigation·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 30, 2023

Metabolite in urine predicts diabetic kidney failure 5-10 years early; oral therapeutic drug shows promise in mice

Researchers found that urine levels of adenine are predictive and causative biomarkers of looming progressive kidney failure in patients with diabetes. An oral therapeutic drug showed promise in mice by reducing kidney adenine levels and protecting against diabetic kidney disease.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 24, 2023

Adding immunity to human kidney-on-a-chip advances cancer drug testing

A new immune-infiltrated human kidney organoid-on-chip model enables the assessment of on-target, off-tumor effects of immunotherapeutic T cell bispecific antibody drugs. The study's findings provide important insights into which cells are targeted by a given TCB and what, if any, off-target damage arises.

SourceWyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 23, 2023

Paired liver exchange developed by Boston College economists results in first four-way liver exchange

A new matching system enabled by Boston College economists facilitates the world's first four-way liver exchange and a cascade of additional matches. The system increases the number of transplants that can be matched among a larger group of participants, expanding capacity beyond traditional two-way exchanges.

SourceBoston College·JournalAmerican Journal of Transplantation·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 22, 2023

New kidney function equation may reduce health disparities by improving access to heart failure therapy in previously ineligible patients

A new kidney function equation has been shown to be more accurate than the old equation in estimating kidney function, particularly for Black individuals. This new equation may reduce racial disparities in cardiovascular disease by making previously ineligible patients eligible for heart failure therapies.

SourceUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham·JournalJournal of Cardiac Failure·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 15, 2023

Consuming added sugars may increase risk of kidney stones

Researchers have shown a positive association between added sugar consumption and an increased risk of developing kidney stones. Participants with higher intakes of added sugars had greater odds of developing kidney stones over the course of the study.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Nutrition·TypeObservational study·DateAug 4, 2023

Researchers’ sweeping discovery shows how kidney cells self-renew

Researchers at the University of Texas at Dallas have discovered a previously unknown self-renewal mechanism in kidney cells that allows them to rejuvenate themselves and remain healthy. This process is fundamentally different from other regenerative processes, such as cell division, and enables kidneys to function normally for life.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Dallas·JournalNature Nanotechnology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 13, 2023

Acute kidney injury not associated with worsening kidney function in persons with CKD

Researchers found that acute kidney injury does not predict worsening of kidney function trajectory in patients with CKD, suggesting that pre-existing kidney disease may be a major contributor. The study recommends focusing on flattening the eGFR slope and treating proteinuria to slow CKD progression.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateJul 10, 2023