Contribution of Th17 cells to tissue injury in hypertension
Purpose of review Hypertension has been demonstrated to be a chief contributor to morbidity and mortality throughout the world. Although the cause of hypertension is multifactorial, emerging evidence, obtained in experimental studies, as well as observational studies in humans, points to the role of inflammation and immunity. Many aspects of immune function have now been implicated in hypertension and end-organ injury; this review will focus upon the recently-described role of Th17 cells in this pathophysiological response. Recent findings Studies in animal models and human genetic studies point to a role in the...
Source: Current Opinion in Nephrology and Hypertension - January 28, 2021 Category: Urology & Nephrology Tags: PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF HYPERTENSION: Edited by Nancy J. Brown Source Type: research

Regulation of vascular tone and blood pressure by singlet molecular oxygen in inflammation
Purpose of review The principle aim of this review is to prompt vascular researchers interested in vascular inflammation and oxidative stress to consider singlet molecular oxygen (1O2) as a potentially relevant contributor. A secondary goal is to propose novel treatment strategies to address haemodynamic complications associated with septic shock. Recent findings Increased inflammation and oxidative stress are hallmarks of a range of vascular diseases. We recently showed that in systemic inflammation and oxidative stress associated with models of inflammation including sepsis, the tryptophan catabolizing enzyme ...
Source: Current Opinion in Nephrology and Hypertension - January 28, 2021 Category: Urology & Nephrology Tags: PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF HYPERTENSION: Edited by Nancy J. Brown Source Type: research

Editorial introductions
No abstract available (Source: Current Opinion in Nephrology and Hypertension)
Source: Current Opinion in Nephrology and Hypertension - January 28, 2021 Category: Urology & Nephrology Tags: EDITORIAL INTRODUCTIONS Source Type: research

Application of dynamic contrast enhanced ultrasound in the assessment of kidney diseases
Purpose of review Many forms of acute and chronic disease are linked to changes in renal blood flow, perfusion, vascular density and hypoxia, but there are no readily available methods to assess these parameters in clinical practice. Dynamic contrast enhanced ultrasound (DCE-US) is a method that provides quantitative assessments of organ perfusion without ionising radiation or risk of nephrotoxicity. It can be performed at the bedside and is suitable for repeated measurements. The purpose of this review is to provide updates from recent publications on the utility of DCE-US in the diagnosis or assessment of renal disea...
Source: Current Opinion in Nephrology and Hypertension - December 2, 2020 Category: Urology & Nephrology Tags: SPECIAL COMMENTARY Source Type: research

Regulation of renal pendrin activity by aldosterone
Purpose of review Pendrin resides on the luminal membrane of type B intercalated cells in the renal collecting tubule system mediating the absorption of chloride in exchange for bicarbonate. In mice or humans lacking pendrin, blood pressure is lower, and pendrin knockout mice are resistant to aldosterone-induced hypertension. Here we discuss recent findings on the regulation of pendrin. Recent findings Pendrin activity is stimulated during alkalosis partly mediated by secretin. Also, angiotensin II and aldosterone stimulate pendrin activity requiring the mineralocorticoid receptor in intercalated cells. Angioten...
Source: Current Opinion in Nephrology and Hypertension - December 2, 2020 Category: Urology & Nephrology Tags: HORMONES, AUTACOIDS, NEUROTRANSMITTERS AND GROWTH FACTORS: Edited by Mark Cooper and Merlin Thomas Source Type: research

TaleNeprilysin and Neprilysin inhibition in chronic kidney disease
Purpose of review Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with increased risk of progression to end-stage kidney disease and cardiovascular events. There is limited evidence that available treatments have beneficial effects on cardiorenal outcomes in all people with nondiabetic CKD. Neprilysin inhibition (NEPi) is a new therapeutic strategy with potential to improve outcomes for patients with CKD. Recent findings NEPi enhances the activity of the natriuretic peptide system producing natriuresis, diuresis and inhibition of the renin–angiotensin system and sympathetic nervous system. Sacubitril/valsartan is t...
Source: Current Opinion in Nephrology and Hypertension - December 2, 2020 Category: Urology & Nephrology Tags: HORMONES, AUTACOIDS, NEUROTRANSMITTERS AND GROWTH FACTORS: Edited by Mark Cooper and Merlin Thomas Source Type: research

How to inhibit transforming growth factor beta safely in diabetic kidney disease
Purpose of review Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity in diabetes. This review aims to discuss the major features of DKD, to identify the difficult barrier encountered in developing a therapeutic strategy and to provide a potentially superior novel approach to retard DKD. Recent findings Renal inflammation and fibrosis are prominent features of DKD. Transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) with its activity enhanced in DKD plays a key pathological profibrotic role in promoting renal fibrosis. However, TGFβ is a difficult drug target because it has multiple important physio...
Source: Current Opinion in Nephrology and Hypertension - December 2, 2020 Category: Urology & Nephrology Tags: HORMONES, AUTACOIDS, NEUROTRANSMITTERS AND GROWTH FACTORS: Edited by Mark Cooper and Merlin Thomas Source Type: research

Research progress of sirtuins in renal and cardiovascular diseases
Purpose of review Sirtuins are a family of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide+-dependent enzymes catalyzing target protein deacetylation to modulate cellular metabolism, response to oxidative stress and inflammation, senescence, autophagy and apoptosis. In this review, we provide an overview of recent studies regarding the alterations and roles of sirtuins in a variety of renal and cardiovascular diseases. We are also going to highlight activators and inhibitors of sirtuins in the prevention of these diseases. This will help us to understand how this field may change in the future. Recent finding Recent studies h...
Source: Current Opinion in Nephrology and Hypertension - December 2, 2020 Category: Urology & Nephrology Tags: HORMONES, AUTACOIDS, NEUROTRANSMITTERS AND GROWTH FACTORS: Edited by Mark Cooper and Merlin Thomas Source Type: research

Novel conservative management of chronic kidney disease via dialysis-free interventions
Purpose of review In advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients with progressive uremia, dialysis has traditionally been the dominant treatment paradigm. However, there is increasing interest in conservative and preservative management of kidney function as alternative patient-centered treatment approaches in this population. Recent findings The primary objectives of conservative nondialytic management include optimization of quality of life and treating symptoms of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Dietetic-nutritional therapy can be a cornerstone in the conservative management of CKD by reducing glomerular h...
Source: Current Opinion in Nephrology and Hypertension - December 2, 2020 Category: Urology & Nephrology Tags: NOVEL THERAPEUTIC APPROACHES IN NEPHROLOGY AND HYPERTENSION: Edited by Kamyar Kalantar-Zadeh and Ekamol Tantisattamo Source Type: research

Building a hemodiafiltration system from readily available components for continuous renal replacement therapy under disasters and pandemics: preparing for an acute kidney injury surge during COVID-19
We present a plan for using a blood pump, readily available dialysis filter, and a prefilter and postfilter replacement fluid set up. This is in conjunction with multiple intravenous pumps to develop a simple hemofiltration apparatus. Summary The current set up may be a readily available option for use in critical situations where the need for renal replacement therapy outstrips the capacity of traditional hemodialysis services in a hospital or region. (Source: Current Opinion in Nephrology and Hypertension)
Source: Current Opinion in Nephrology and Hypertension - December 2, 2020 Category: Urology & Nephrology Tags: NOVEL THERAPEUTIC APPROACHES IN NEPHROLOGY AND HYPERTENSION: Edited by Kamyar Kalantar-Zadeh and Ekamol Tantisattamo Source Type: research

Precision medicine approach to dialysis including incremental and decremental dialysis regimens
Purpose of review Conventional standardization of haemodialysis for treatment of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) is predicated upon the fixed construct of one disease stage and one patient category. Increasingly recognized are subgroups of patients for whom less-intensive haemodialysis, such as incremental or decremental haemodialysis, could be employed. Recent findings Almost 30% of patients with incident ESKD have clinical and residual kidney function (RFK) parameters that could accommodate less-intensive haemodialysis. In one study, patients with incident ESKD and substantial RKF treated with low-dose haemodi...
Source: Current Opinion in Nephrology and Hypertension - December 2, 2020 Category: Urology & Nephrology Tags: NOVEL THERAPEUTIC APPROACHES IN NEPHROLOGY AND HYPERTENSION: Edited by Kamyar Kalantar-Zadeh and Ekamol Tantisattamo Source Type: research

Microbiome modulation as a novel therapeutic approach in chronic kidney disease
Purpose of review Gut dysbiosis has been implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Interventions aimed at restoring gut microbiota have emerged as a potential therapeutic option in CKD. This review summarizes the current evidence on gut microbiota-targeted strategies in patients with CKD. Recent findings A growing number of studies have shown that plant-based diets, low-protein diets, prebiotic, probiotic, and synbiotic supplementation, and constipation treatment may lead to favorable alterations in the gut microbiota. Current evidence suggests that the implementation of both plant-based an...
Source: Current Opinion in Nephrology and Hypertension - December 2, 2020 Category: Urology & Nephrology Tags: NOVEL THERAPEUTIC APPROACHES IN NEPHROLOGY AND HYPERTENSION: Edited by Kamyar Kalantar-Zadeh and Ekamol Tantisattamo Source Type: research

Chimerism and tolerance: past, present and future strategies to prolong renal allograft survival
Purpose of review Immunological factors are a major cause of kidney allograft loss. Calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) have improved short-term kidney allograft survival; however, they in turn contribute to long-term kidney allograft loss from chronic CNI nephrotoxicity. Tolerance induction in transplantation can avoid the long-term adverse effects of immunosuppressive medications. This review aims to critically discuss recent efforts in inducing transplantation tolerance. Recent findings Tolerance induction mediated by chimerism has shown some promise in minimizing or even complete withdrawal of immunosuppressive tr...
Source: Current Opinion in Nephrology and Hypertension - December 2, 2020 Category: Urology & Nephrology Tags: NOVEL THERAPEUTIC APPROACHES IN NEPHROLOGY AND HYPERTENSION: Edited by Kamyar Kalantar-Zadeh and Ekamol Tantisattamo Source Type: research

Novel approaches to management of hypertension
Purpose of review Of the roughly 1.4 billion people with hypertension worldwide, only about one in seven has their blood pressure (BP) successfully treated and adequately controlled. This review will focus on new therapeutic approaches of hypertension. Recent findings Several recent clinical studies and guidelines have favoured the assessment of target organ damage and cardiovascular risk scores for the diagnosis and treatment approach of hypertension. Paradigm shifts recommended in the guidelines are the initiation of antihypertensive treatment with combination (not mono) therapy and the recommendation of singl...
Source: Current Opinion in Nephrology and Hypertension - December 2, 2020 Category: Urology & Nephrology Tags: NOVEL THERAPEUTIC APPROACHES IN NEPHROLOGY AND HYPERTENSION: Edited by Kamyar Kalantar-Zadeh and Ekamol Tantisattamo Source Type: research

Novel therapeutic approaches for COVID-19 in chronic kidney disease and transplant
Purpose of review Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the novel virus responsible for the current worldwide pandemic. The scientific and healthcare communities have made every effort to discover and implement treatment options at a historic pace. Patients with kidney disease are uniquely vulnerable to an infectious pandemic because of their need to be in frequent contact with the healthcare system for life-sustaining renal replacement therapy whether it be by dialysis or transplant. Recent findings The use of targeted viral therapies, extracorporeal therapies, immunosuppressive t...
Source: Current Opinion in Nephrology and Hypertension - December 2, 2020 Category: Urology & Nephrology Tags: NOVEL THERAPEUTIC APPROACHES IN NEPHROLOGY AND HYPERTENSION: Edited by Kamyar Kalantar-Zadeh and Ekamol Tantisattamo Source Type: research