Osteocalcin: A bone protein with multiple endocrine functions.

Bones are now recognised as endocrine organs with diverse functions. Osteocalcin, a protein primarily produced by osteoblasts, has garnered significant attention. Research into osteocalcin has revealed its impact on glucose metabolism and its unexpected endocrine role, particularly in its undercarboxylated form (ucOC).

Intravenous iron treatment fuels chronic kidney disease-induced arterial media calcification in rats.

Arterial media calcification is a severe cardiovascular complication commonly manifesting in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Patients with CKD frequently undergo intravenous iron therapy to address iron deficiency. Iron is suggested to be sequestered in vascular cells, potentially leading to oxidative (lipid) stress and cell death, which are recognized as key contributors to arterial calcification.

Defining the molecular response to ischemia-reperfusion injury and remote ischemic preconditioning in human kidney transplantation.

Background: Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) inevitably occurs during kidney transplantation and extended ischemia is associated with delayed graft function and poor outcomes. Remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) is a simple, noninvasive procedure aimed at reducing IRI and improving graft function. Experimental studies have implicated the kynurenine pathway as a protective mechanism behind RIPC.

Dietary protein intake and the tubular handling of indoxyl sulfate.

Background And Hypothesis: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients are advised to limit their protein intake. A high protein diet is known to induce glomerular hyperfiltration, as well as hypertrophy of the remnant kidney, and glomerulosclerosis. Whether the diet causes changes in kidney tubule transport via gut microbiome metabolites is still unknown.