Adiponectin removal by the human kidney: A preliminary study.

Background And Aims: The adipocyte-derived adiponectin (APN) has potent insulin-sensitizing and anti-inflammatory properties. The adipose tissue is known to be the main source for APN in the circulation, but sites and mechanisms which remove APN from blood are still unknown in humans.

Methods And Results: We reviewed APN data obtained in previous studies in which the inter-organ exchange of amino acids and cytokines was measured in our laboratory.

IGF-1 Signaling Modulates Oxidative Metabolism and Stress Resistance in ARPE-19 Cells Through PKM2 Function.

The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) contributes to retinal homeostasis, and its metabolic dysfunction is implied in the development of retinal degenerative disease. The isoform M2 of pyruvate kinase (PKM2) is a key factor in cell metabolism, and its function may be affected by insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). This study aims to investigate the effect of IGF-1 on PKM2 modulation of RPE cells and whether co-treatment with klotho may preserve it.

Pathophysiology of Physical Exercise in Kidney Patients: Unveiling New Players - The Role of Myokines.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive systemic condition characterized by numerous complications. Among these, alterations in skeletal muscle physiology, such as sarcopenia, are particularly significant, as they are associated with poor outcomes and reduced quality of life.

Summary: Various interventions, including pharmacological approaches and lifestyle modifications have been investigated to slow CKD progression and prevent or treat its complications.

SGLT2 inhibition to target kidney aging.

Anti-aging therapy is the latest frontier in the world of medical science, especially for widespread diseases such as chronic kidney disease (CKD). Both renal aging and CKD are characterized by increased cellular senescence, inflammation and oxidative stress. A variety of cellular signalling mechanisms are involved in these processes, which provide new potential targets for therapeutic strategies aimed at counteracting the onset and progression of CKD.

Baseline urinary osteopontin levels are associated with the improvement of metabolic syndrome.

Background And Aims: While serum osteopontin (OPN)'s established role in cardiometabolic risk is recognized, its potential as a predictor of metabolic syndrome (MetS) improvement through a urine assay has not yet been demonstrated. In this study, we propose its potential predictive role over a 12-month period of standard care, with the ability to complement anthropometric measures.

Methods And Results: Hierarchical clustering revealed a notable association of urinary OPN (uOPN) with MetS criteria and overcame anthropometric measures in predicting the improvement at 12 months (OR of 2.

Indoxyl sulphate-initiated activation of cardiac fibroblasts is modulated by aryl hydrocarbon receptor and nuclear factor-erythroid-2-related factor 2.

In the last decade, extensive attention has been paid to the uremic toxin indoxyl sulphate (IS) as an inducer of cardiac fibroblast (cFib) activation and cardiac fibrosis in chronic kidney disease. At cellular level, IS engages aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and regulates many biological functions. We analysed how AhR inhibition by CH-223191 (CH) and overexpression of non-functional (dominant negative, DN) nuclear factor-erythroid-2-related factor 2 (NRF2), a transcription factor recruited by AhR, modulate the response of neonatal mouse (nm) cFib to IS.

SA-β-Gal in Kidney Tubules as a Predictor of Renal Outcome in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease.

Cellular senescence has emerged as an important driver of aging and age-related disease in the kidney. The activity of β-galactosidase at pH 6 (SA-β-Gal) is a classic maker of senescence in cellular biology; however, the predictive role of kidney tissue SA-β-Gal on eGFR loss in chronic kidney disease (CKD) is still not understood. We retrospectively studied the expression of SA-β-Gal in kidney biopsies obtained in a cohort [ = 22] of incident patients who were followed up for 3 years as standard of care.

Cyclic fasting bolsters cholesterol biosynthesis inhibitors' anticancer activity.

Identifying oncological applications for drugs that are already approved for other medical indications is considered a possible solution for the increasing costs of cancer treatment. Under the hypothesis that nutritional stress through fasting might enhance the antitumour properties of at least some non-oncological agents, by screening drug libraries, we find that cholesterol biosynthesis inhibitors (CBIs), including simvastatin, have increased activity against cancers of different histology under fasting conditions. We show fasting's ability to increase CBIs' antitumour effects to depend on the reduction in circulating insulin, insulin-like growth factor-1 and leptin, which blunts the expression of enzymes from the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway and enhances cholesterol efflux from cancer cells.

Microplastics and Kidneys: An Update on the Evidence for Deposition of Plastic Microparticles in Human Organs, Tissues and Fluids and Renal Toxicity Concern.

Plastic pollution became a main challenge for human beings as demonstrated by the increasing dispersion of plastic waste into the environment. Microplastics (MPs) have become ubiquitous and humans are exposed daily to inhalation or ingestion of plastic microparticles. Recent studies performed using mainly spectroscopy or spectrometry-based techniques have shown astounding evidence for the presence of MPs in human tissues, organs and fluids.

The Contribution of Muscle Innate Immunity to Uremic Cachexia.

Protein energy wasting (PEW) is a common complication both in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). Of note, PEW is one of the stronger predictors of morbidity and mortality in this patient population. The pathogenesis of PEW involves several mechanisms, including anorexia, insulin resistance, acidosis and low-grade inflammation.

Non-Haemodynamic Mechanisms Underlying Hypertension-Associated Damage in Target Kidney Components.

Arterial hypertension (AH) is a global challenge that greatly impacts cardiovascular morbidity and mortality worldwide. AH is a major risk factor for the development and progression of kidney disease. Several antihypertensive treatment options are already available to counteract the progression of kidney disease.

Homocysteine exchange across skeletal muscle in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Sites and mechanisms regulating the supply of homocysteine (Hcy) to the circulation are unexplored in humans. We studied the exchange of Hcy across the forearm in CKD patients (n = 17, eGFR 20 ± 2 ml/min), in hemodialysis (HD)-treated patients (n = 14) and controls (n = 9). Arterial Hcy was ~ 2.

Role of Uric Acid in Vascular Remodeling: Cytoskeleton Changes and Migration in VSMCs.

The mechanisms by which hyperuricemia induces vascular dysfunction and contributes to cardiovascular disease are still debated. Phenotypic transition is a property of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) involved in organ damage. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of uric acid (UA) on changes in the VSMC cytoskeleton, cell migration and the signals involved in these processes.

Lipoprotein(a) Modulates Carotid Atherosclerosis in Metabolic Syndrome.

High lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is a well-established cardiovascular (CV) risk factor, but the effect of mildly elevated Lp(a) on CV health is largely unknown. Our aim was to evaluate if Lp(a) is associated with the severity of carotid atherosclerosis (CA) in the specific subset of metabolic syndrome (MetS). Subjects with diagnosed MetS and ultrasound-assessed CA were enrolled.

SIRPα Mediates IGF1 Receptor in Cardiomyopathy Induced by Chronic Kidney Disease.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is characterized by increased myocardial mass despite near-normal blood pressure, suggesting the presence of a separate trigger. A potential driver is SIRPα (signal regulatory protein alpha)-a mediator impairing insulin signaling. The objective of this study is to assess the role of circulating SIRPα in CKD-induced adverse cardiac remodeling.

Secondary Membranous Nephropathy Due to Benign Tumors in 2 Young Women: A Case Report.

Membranous nephropathy (MN) is one of the most common causes of adult-onset nephrotic syndrome. We describe the cases of 2 young women in their 20s presenting with nephrotic syndrome due to antiphospholipase A receptor (anti-PLAR)-negative MN, that was found to be associated with benign tumors. Both women had no extrarenal symptoms of a connective tissue disease, infection, or malignancy.

Myostatin: Basic biology to clinical application.

Myostatin is a member of the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β superfamily. It is expressed by animal and human skeletal muscle cells where it limits muscle growth and promotes protein breakdown. Its effects are influenced by complex mechanisms including transcriptional and epigenetic regulation and modulation by extracellular binding proteins.