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| Fresh Insights: Progressive Spread of Acute Kidney Injury |
When the kidneys experience acute damage, it can lead to necrotic injury, causing the death of cells within the organ. A recent study conducted by Aarhus University reveals that the impact of cell damage extends beyond the immediate injury, affecting broader areas of the kidneys over several days.
Ina Maria Schiessl, an Assistant Professor at the Department of Biomedicine and one of the researchers involved in the study published in Nature Communications, explains the significance of their findings. "Our research affirms that acute kidney injury, triggered by a temporary interruption of organ blood supply, results in substantial necrotic damage. However, through continuous imaging of specific kidney areas in live mice over several weeks, we demonstrate that the injury propagates into previously unaffected regions, causing structural damage."
These findings carry importance in the context of patient treatment. Schiessl emphasizes, "Our data illustrates the considerable spread of the initial injury during the first few days after acute kidney injury. This implies a previously undiscovered window of time for intervention measures aimed at limiting further injury and the progression of kidney disease."
The study highlights the risk of acute kidney injury as a precursor to chronic kidney disease, with patients facing an up to 8-fold increase in the risk of developing chronic kidney disease, even if they initially recover functionally. Chronic kidney disease, affecting over 10% of the global population, poses a substantial burden on patients and healthcare systems. Currently, there is no cure for chronic kidney disease, and its progression may lead to end-stage renal failure, leaving patients with limited options like dialysis or kidney transplantation.
The transition from acute kidney injury to chronic kidney disease remains not fully understood, and established intervention measures are lacking. Schiessl is optimistic that this study could contribute to a better understanding of how acute injuries impact the kidneys and their role in chronic disease development.
"Our research establishes a connection between the accumulation of necrotic cell material in the kidney and the gradual propagation of injury. Future investigations should explore whether and how the loss of function and the progression of chronic kidney disease can be halted by targeting or removing necrotic cell material following acute kidney injury," she states.
The hope is that these findings will pave the way for further studies investigating the long-term effects of acute kidney injuries, potentially offering insights into preventive measures and treatments for chronic kidney diseases stemming from acute injuries.
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