http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/health_medicine/kidney_disease/ Medical research on the kidney, causes and symptoms of kidney infections and failure. Find out about green tea and other food that affects the kidneys. Read about kidney stones and other kidney problems. en-us Sat, 26 May 2012 13:05:01 EDT Sat, 26 May 2012 13:05:01 EDT 60 http://www.sciencedaily.com/images/logosmall.gif http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/health_medicine/kidney_disease/ For more science articles, visit ScienceDaily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120516120318.htm ACE2, a molecule that has been shown to prevent damage in the heart, is now proving to be protective of the major organs that are often damaged in diabetic patients. Wed, 16 May 2012 12:03:03 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120516120318.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120418203524.htm New research provides evidence to explain why some people are more likely to develop kidney stones than others. Their discovery opens the door to finding effective drug treatments and a test that could assess a person’s risk of the condition. Wed, 18 Apr 2012 20:35:35 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120418203524.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120417125625.htm Older patients taking a common cholesterol medication should be cautious of the impact on their kidney health. In a new study by Dr. Amit Garg, Scientist at the Lawson Health Research Institute and the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences, and colleagues, one in 10 new older fibrate users experienced a 50 percent increase in their serum creatinine. Tue, 17 Apr 2012 12:56:56 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120417125625.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120409164305.htm Aristolochic acid (AA), a component of a plant used in herbal remedies since ancient times, leads to kidney failure and upper urinary tract cancer (UUC) in individuals exposed to the toxin, according to a new study. Mon, 09 Apr 2012 16:43:43 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120409164305.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/03/120323134535.htm Research on kidney stones in fruit flies may hold the key to developing a treatment that could someday stop the formation of kidney stones in humans, scientists have found. Fri, 23 Mar 2012 13:45:45 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/03/120323134535.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/03/120312003228.htm Researchers have identified a regulator protein that plays a crucial role in kidney fibrosis, a condition that leads to kidney failure. Finding this regulator provides a new therapeutic target for the millions of Americans affected by kidney failure. Mon, 12 Mar 2012 00:32:32 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/03/120312003228.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/03/120311145303.htm New ongoing research suggests organ transplant recipients may not require anti-rejection medication in the future thanks to the power of stem cells, which may prove to be able to be manipulated in mismatched kidney donor and recipient pairs to allow for successful transplantation without immunosuppressive drugs. A new clinical trial is set to study the use of donor stem cell infusions that have been specially engineered to "trick" the recipients' immune system into thinking the donated organ is part of the patient's natural self, thus gradually eliminating or reducing the need for anti-rejection medication. Sun, 11 Mar 2012 14:53:53 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/03/120311145303.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120220102128.htm The world's longest living-donor kidney transplant chain has just been completed. The chain involved 30 donors, 30 recipients and 17 hospitals throughout the U.S. Mon, 20 Feb 2012 10:21:21 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120220102128.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120206174209.htm Treatment with three "targeted" cancer drugs has been linked to a slightly elevated chance of fatal side effects, according to a new analysis. These risks remain low, but they should be factored in when developing patients’ treatment plans. Mon, 06 Feb 2012 17:42:42 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120206174209.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120112112720.htm Researchers have published the first detailed figures showing the risk of using the prescription drug Rasilez in combination with certain other blood pressure-lowering medications. Thu, 12 Jan 2012 11:27:27 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120112112720.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120112111946.htm Thousands more American senior citizens with kidney disease are good candidates for transplants and could get them if physicians would get past outdated medical biases and put them on transplant waiting lists, according to a new study by Johns Hopkins researchers. Thu, 12 Jan 2012 11:19:19 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120112111946.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120110140425.htm Scientists have made new discoveries about the basic workings of endothelial cells that could lead to a diagnostic test for the serious kidney disease known as hemolytic uremic syndrome and a possible treatment. Tue, 10 Jan 2012 14:04:04 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120110140425.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120109212013.htm Acute kidney injury has severe consequences, with a 25 to 80 percent risk of in-hospital death. Researchers have found a way to diagnose AKI using a urine test, enabling emergency departments to identify these high-risk patients when they first arrive at the hospital. Mon, 09 Jan 2012 21:20:20 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120109212013.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120103165039.htm Hydrogen sulfide, a noxious gas that smells like rotten eggs, may have beneficial effects in the kidney. Researchers found that this gas diminishes high glucose-induced production of scarring proteins in kidney cells. Considerable work remains to be done before studies can move to animal models. Tue, 03 Jan 2012 16:50:50 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120103165039.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111222195004.htm Correcting anemia, a red blood cell deficiency, can preserve kidney function in many kidney transplant recipients, according to a new study. Thu, 22 Dec 2011 19:50:50 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111222195004.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111216112854.htm Researchers have tested a pre-emptive anti-viral treatment on a common virus known to cause respiratory infections. Fri, 16 Dec 2011 11:28:28 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111216112854.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111206131938.htm Mayo Clinic in Florida is now offering kidney and pancreas transplants to HIV positive patients with advanced kidney disease and diabetes. Evidence is now solid that HIV-positive patients have the same favorable outcome in terms of patient and allograft survival as non-HIV positive organ transplant recipients, say experts. Tue, 06 Dec 2011 13:19:19 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111206131938.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111206131446.htm After a four-week course of the vasodilator hormone relaxin, kidney function and blood flow immediately improved in lab rats genetically altered to model polycystic kidney disease (PKD), a life-threatening genetic disorder. Tue, 06 Dec 2011 13:14:14 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111206131446.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111130115818.htm Research conducted by a pair of physicians has led to the development of a test that can help diagnose membranous nephropathy in its early stages. The test, which is currently only offered in the research setting and is awaiting commercial development, could have significant implications in the diagnosis and treatment of the disease. Currently, the only way to diagnose the disease is through a biopsy. Wed, 30 Nov 2011 11:58:58 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111130115818.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111116174744.htm A new large, international study finds that the immunosuppressant drug mycophenolate mofetil is superior to azathioprine, an older immunosuppressant, as a maintenance therapy for lupus nephritis. Wed, 16 Nov 2011 17:47:47 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111116174744.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111116143047.htm An experimental treatment for urinary tract infections has easily passed its first test in animals, alleviating weeks-long infections in mice in as little as six hours. Wed, 16 Nov 2011 14:30:30 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111116143047.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111115191228.htm With three people on the transplant list dying in the UK every day, should doctors encourage their patients to put themselves at risk for the benefit of others? Two experts debate the issue. Tue, 15 Nov 2011 19:12:12 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111115191228.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111112145357.htm Scientists looked to see if intensive diabetes therapy aimed at reducing blood sugar as close to the normal range as possible might protect Type 1 diabetics' kidney function. Sat, 12 Nov 2011 14:53:53 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111112145357.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111107033946.htm Newly published research shows that more patients with end-stage renal disease caused by lupus nephritis choose hemodialysis as their initial kidney replacement therapy over peritoneal dialysis and preemptive kidney transplantation. Results of the study also found that African-Americans, Medicaid recipients, those without health insurance, and the unemployed had significantly reduced initiation of peritoneal dialysis. Mon, 07 Nov 2011 03:39:39 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111107033946.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111101171027.htm Patients who have received a solid organ transplant, such as kidney, liver, heart or lung, have an overall cancer risk that is double that of the general population, with an increased risk for many different types of malignancies, according to a new study. Tue, 01 Nov 2011 17:10:10 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111101171027.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111101125951.htm A recent study shows that multiple episodes of acute kidney injury during hospital stays for patients with diabetes are associated with a risk for developing chronic kidney disease. Tue, 01 Nov 2011 12:59:59 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111101125951.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111027150215.htm Scientists have discovered that patients with an inherited kidney disease may be helped by a drug that is currently available for other uses. Thu, 27 Oct 2011 15:02:02 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111027150215.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111024113055.htm African-Americans with two copies of the APOL1 gene have about a four percent lifetime risk of developing a form of kidney disease, according to scientists. The finding brings scientists closer to understanding why African-Americans are four times more likely to develop kidney failure than whites. Mon, 24 Oct 2011 11:30:30 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111024113055.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111021195459.htm A Mayo Clinic study finds no correlation between the use of shock waves to break up kidney stones and the long-term development of diabetes. Fri, 21 Oct 2011 19:54:54 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111021195459.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111020122321.htm A new study recently published in the American Journal of Transplantation reveals that the ability to successfully carry a pregnancy after kidney transplantation is very high, with 73.5 percent live birth rates. Thu, 20 Oct 2011 12:23:23 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111020122321.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111020025750.htm Family matters, especially when it comes to African-Americans and living kidney donation. Researchers found that African-Americans donate almost exclusively to family members for living kidney transplants, as compared to Caucasians. Thu, 20 Oct 2011 02:57:57 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111020025750.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111014080533.htm African Americans with certain gene variants develop non-diabetic kidney disease more often than expected. African Americans with these variants risk developing focal segmental glomerulosclerosis and HIV nephropathy in particular and may need dialysis at a young age. Screening for these variants could identify individuals who should receive kidney-protective treatments Fri, 14 Oct 2011 08:05:05 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111014080533.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111011132046.htm A commonly prescribed antimicrobial -- trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole -- that has been used since 1968 can cause serious adverse reactions and physicians need to be aware of these in prescribing, states a new review. Tue, 11 Oct 2011 13:20:20 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111011132046.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111011102004.htm It has become increasingly clear that patients in the United States are starting dialysis at higher and higher levels of kidney function. A team of researchers found that over a decade, patients have been starting dialysis approximately five months earlier on average. Tue, 11 Oct 2011 10:20:20 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111011102004.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111007103310.htm A group of researchers has discovered the process that may be causing side effects caused by the anti-rejection drugs given to organ transplant patients. The discovery means those side effects likely can be dealt with much more cheaply and easily. Fri, 07 Oct 2011 10:33:33 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111007103310.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111005172637.htm Researchers have developed a novel protocol that allows kidney-transplant recipients to jettison their indispensable immune-suppressing drugs. The protocol could also spell substantial savings to the health-care system. Wed, 05 Oct 2011 17:26:26 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111005172637.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111004221112.htm There are many reasons why people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) often lose fitness and have increasing difficulty performing normal daily tasks, but new research shows scientific evidence for the benefits of regular exercise for people with CKD, including those with a kidney transplant. They can improve their physical fitness, walk further, have healthier blood pressures, healthier heart rates, higher health-related quality of life scores and better nutritional characteristics compared to those who don't exercise. Tue, 04 Oct 2011 22:11:11 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111004221112.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110925185445.htm Effects of a particularly devastating human kidney disease may be blunted by making a certain cellular protein receptor much less receptive, according to new research. Sun, 25 Sep 2011 18:54:54 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110925185445.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110922180027.htm A new analysis has found that transplant patients can safely minimize or avoid using calcineurin inhibitors. Thu, 22 Sep 2011 18:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110922180027.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110922134615.htm Scientists have now begun to understand kidney damage on a cellular level and how the activity of certain molecules in damaged kidneys contributes to salt and water retention in nephrotic syndrome. Several new insights in this area of research are presented at an upcoming meeting. Thu, 22 Sep 2011 13:46:46 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110922134615.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110920173347.htm Researchers have shown that close supervision by rheumatologists and the use of immunosuppressant drugs improve the survival of lupus patients with end-stage kidney disease -- a finding that could reverse long-standing clinical practice. Tue, 20 Sep 2011 17:33:33 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110920173347.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110915171627.htm Equations that estimate a patient's kidney function work as well as direct, invasive measurements, according to a new study. This means that many patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) do not need to undergo the painful and cumbersome procedures that are performed to monitor kidneys' health. Thu, 15 Sep 2011 17:16:16 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110915171627.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110914154417.htm Researchers report that sickle cell trait is not a risk factor for the development of severe kidney disease in African-Americans. The study contradicts findings from a 2010 study that first suggested that having one copy of the sickle cell gene was a kidney disease risk factor. Wed, 14 Sep 2011 15:44:44 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110914154417.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110913111407.htm New research reveals that substitution of a brand name immunosuppressive drug with a generic (manufactured by Sandoz) for preventing rejection of transplanted organs appears to be safe for transplant recipients. Tue, 13 Sep 2011 11:14:14 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110913111407.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110909074951.htm Researchers have discovered a hormone that can predict early death in kidney patients. Fri, 09 Sep 2011 07:49:49 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110909074951.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110824115849.htm Scientists have discovered that a gene which, when severely mutated, causes blindness and kidney abnormalities in chickens, is the same as one that predisposes humans to hypertension. Wed, 24 Aug 2011 11:58:58 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110824115849.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110819081319.htm Metabolic syndrome comprises a group of medical disorders that increase people's risk of diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and premature death when they occur together. Now a new study says that people with metabolic abnormalities are at increased risk of developing kidney disease. Fri, 19 Aug 2011 08:13:13 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110819081319.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110818190557.htm High blood phosphate levels can set chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients on a rapid path to kidney failure, according to a new study. To make matters worse, phosphate appears to interfere with the effectiveness of important kidney medications. Thu, 18 Aug 2011 19:05:05 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110818190557.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110817141932.htm Scientists in the UK have found that blocking the pathway used by some kidney cancer cells to generate energy can kill the cancer cells, sparing the healthy ones. Wed, 17 Aug 2011 14:19:19 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110817141932.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110812153218.htm Heart disease causes 35 percent of deaths in young adults with chronic kidney disease. Children with only mildly impaired kidney function experience poor growth, delayed puberty, metabolic problems, and high blood pressure. Treating these conditions during childhood might slow kidney disease and prevent heart-related deaths in young adults. Fri, 12 Aug 2011 15:32:32 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110812153218.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110812091554.htm Kidney injury is a frequent and serious complication of heart surgery. Three proteins predict which patients will likely develop kidney injury after surgery in adults and children. High risk patients may benefit from kidney protective therapies. Fri, 12 Aug 2011 09:15:15 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110812091554.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110809162007.htm For years, medical studies have reached the same conclusion: African-American patients do better on kidney dialysis than their white counterparts. But new research shows that younger blacks -- those under the age of 50 -- actually do much worse on dialysis than equally sick whites who undergo the same blood-filtering process. Tue, 09 Aug 2011 16:20:20 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110809162007.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110808083715.htm Up to 30 percent of all patients develop diabetes mellitus within the first year after a kidney transplantation. This high rate could soon fall rapidly. An Austrian research team has discovered in the context of a study that preemptive insulin therapy drastically reduces this rate. Mon, 08 Aug 2011 08:37:37 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110808083715.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110802112834.htm There is now a new alternative to immunosuppressive treatment after kidney transplants which comes without the usual severe side effects. Tue, 02 Aug 2011 11:28:28 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110802112834.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110802091045.htm A national transplant policy change designed to give African-American patients greater access to donor kidneys has sliced in half the racial disparities that have long characterized the allocation of lifesaving organs, new research suggests. Tue, 02 Aug 2011 09:10:10 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110802091045.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110729175408.htm Patients treated with tacrolimus (TAC) and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) had lower rejection rates and better kidney function. A multi-year study compared three commonly used immunosuppresive regimens. More than 16,000 US patients receive kidney transplants each year; preventing rejection requires a life-long delicate balance of medication. Fri, 29 Jul 2011 17:54:54 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110729175408.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110729175331.htm A new study reports an increased risk of blood clotting at the point where the patient's blood vessels are connected to the dialysis machine known as the point of vascular access. Fri, 29 Jul 2011 17:53:53 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110729175331.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110727171452.htm Hard-to-match kidney transplant candidates who receive a treatment designed to make their bodies more accepting of incompatible organs are twice as likely to survive eight years after transplant surgery as those who stay on dialysis for years awaiting compatible organs, new research finds. Wed, 27 Jul 2011 17:14:14 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110727171452.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110727122705.htm Approximately 60 million people across the globe have chronic kidney disease, and many will need dialysis or a transplant. Breakthrough research indicates that patients' own kidney cells can be gathered and reprogrammed. Reprogramming patients' kidney cells could mean that in the future, fewer patients with kidney disease would require complicated, expensive procedures that affect their quality of life. Wed, 27 Jul 2011 12:27:27 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110727122705.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110726163459.htm St. Michael's Hospital is the first in North America to use a novel blood-cleaning procedure for a kidney patient that will allow the patient to receive a transplant from a donor with a different blood type. Tue, 26 Jul 2011 16:34:34 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110726163459.htm