Symptoms of Kidney Disease

Symptoms of Kidney Disease

What is Kidney Disease?

Kidney disease, also known as renal disease or nephropathy, refers to a condition in which the kidneys are damaged or unable to function properly. The kidneys play a crucial role in filtering waste products, excess fluid, and toxins from the blood, while also maintaining the body’s electrolyte balance and producing important hormones. When kidney disease occurs, these vital functions are compromised, leading to a range of complications.

What Causes Kidney Disease?

Kidney disease can affect people of all ages and backgrounds. Kidney disease can have various causes, and understanding these underlying factors is crucial in managing the condition effectively. There are several primary causes of kidney disease:

Diabetes: Diabetes is a leading cause of kidney disease. High blood sugar levels can damage the blood vessels in the kidneys over time, impairing their ability to function properly. This condition, known as diabetic nephropathy, can progress to chronic kidney disease and ultimately lead to kidney failure.

Hypertension (High Blood Pressure): Uncontrolled high blood pressure puts excessive strain on the blood vessels in the kidneys, leading to their damage. Over time, this can result in chronic kidney disease. Conversely, kidney disease can also cause hypertension, creating a harmful cycle.

Glomerulonephritis: Glomerulonephritis refers to inflammation of the glomeruli, which are tiny filters in the kidneys responsible for removing waste from the blood. This inflammation can be triggered by infections, autoimmune disorders, or certain medications, leading to kidney damage and impaired function.

Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD): PKD is a genetic disorder characterized by the growth of fluid-filled cysts in the kidneys. These cysts gradually enlarge and interfere with kidney function, ultimately leading to kidney failure.

Urinary Tract Obstruction: Kidney disease can also result from obstructions in the urinary tract, such as kidney stones, tumors, or an enlarged prostate gland. These blockages can disrupt the normal flow of urine, causing kidney damage and infection.

Infections: Severe or recurrent kidney infections, such as pyelonephritis, can cause inflammation and scarring of the kidneys. If left untreated, these infections can lead to chronic kidney disease.

Medications and Toxins: Certain medications and toxins can damage the kidneys if used improperly or in excessive amounts. Examples include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), certain antibiotics, and illicit drugs.

It’s important to note that some individuals may have a combination of risk factors that contribute to kidney disease. Additionally, early detection, regular monitoring, and proper management of these underlying causes can significantly slow the progression of kidney disease and help preserve kidney function. 

What Are the Symptoms?

The symptoms of kidney disease may vary depending on the stage and underlying cause but often include fatigue, swelling in the legs and ankles, frequent urination, foamy or bloody urine, persistent itching, and high blood pressure. However, in the early stages, kidney disease may be asymptomatic, making early detection and regular screening crucial, especially for individuals with risk factors.

If you suspect that you have kidney disease, it is crucial to take immediate action and seek medical attention. If kidney disease is diagnosed, it is vital to follow the advice and treatment plan provided by your healthcare professional. 

Kidney disease requires ongoing monitoring to assess kidney function, evaluate the progression of the disease, and adjust treatment if necessary. Your healthcare professional will schedule regular follow-up appointments to review your progress, conduct further tests as needed, and make any necessary adjustments to your treatment plan.

Coping with a chronic condition like kidney disease can be emotionally challenging. Consider reaching out to friends, family, or support groups who can provide encouragement, share experiences, and offer practical advice. Support from others who understand the journey can be invaluable.

Left untreated, kidney disease can lead to serious complications such as fluid retention, electrolyte imbalances, anemia, bone disorders, cardiovascular problems, and ultimately kidney failure. In end-stage renal disease, patients may require dialysis or a kidney transplant to sustain life.

What are Kidney Disease Treatments?

Management of kidney disease involves a combination of lifestyle modifications, medication, and, in some cases, medical procedures. Treatment aims to slow the progression of the disease, control symptoms, and prevent complications. Lifestyle changes may include maintaining a healthy diet with controlled salt and protein intake, staying adequately hydrated, exercising regularly, managing blood pressure and blood sugar levels, and avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.

Regenerative Medicine for Kidney Disease

Regenerative medicine holds great potential for the treatment of kidney disease. It involves the use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to stimulate the regeneration and repair of damaged kidney tissue.

MSC therapy has shown promising potential for the treatment of kidney diseases. MSCs are a type of adult stem cell that can be isolated from various sources, including bone marrow, adipose tissue, and umbilical cord tissue.

In the context of kidney disease, stem cells have been studied for their regenerative and immunomodulatory properties. They have the ability to differentiate into different cell types, including kidney cells, and can also release various growth factors and cytokines that promote tissue repair and modulate the immune response. Here are some key points regarding the potential of MSC therapy for kidney disease:

Acute Kidney Injury (AKI): MSC therapy has been investigated as a potential treatment for AKI, a sudden loss of kidney function. Studies have shown that MSCs can enhance kidney repair, reduce inflammation, and improve kidney function in animal models of AKI. Clinical trials are underway to evaluate the safety and efficacy of MSC therapy for AKI in humans.

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD): MSC therapy holds promise for the treatment of CKD, a progressive loss of kidney function over time. MSCs have been shown to have beneficial effects on renal fibrosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress, which are key factors in CKD progression. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that MSCs can ameliorate kidney damage and improve kidney function in animal models of CKD.

Immune modulation: MSCs possess immunomodulatory properties, which can be advantageous in kidney diseases with an immune component, such as autoimmune kidney diseases (e.g., lupus nephritis). MSCs can suppress abnormal immune responses, reduce inflammation, and promote tissue repair, thereby potentially mitigating the immune-mediated damage to the kidneys.

Safety and Delivery: MSC therapy has been generally considered safe, with no significant adverse effects reported in studies. Delivery methods vary but may include intravenous infusion or direct injection into the renal tissue during surgical procedures.

Kidney disease is a condition characterized by impaired kidney function, which can arise from various causes. Early detection, regular monitoring, and appropriate management are essential to slow the progression of the disease, maintain kidney function, and prevent complications. It is important for individuals with risk factors or concerning symptoms to seek medical attention for proper evaluation and treatment.

Mesenchymal Stem Cell Treatment for Ischemic Kidney Disease

Mesenchymal Stem Cell Treatment for Ischemic Kidney Disease

Ischemic kidney diseases are serious health issues that lead to irreversible loss of kidney function and are commonly associated with high rates of mortality and morbidity. Many of the conditions captured under the term ischemic kidney disease occur as a result of decreased glomerular filtration rate (GFR) caused by vasoconstriction or loss of autoregulation. Ischemic kidney disease, or ischemic renal disease, is a contributing factor anywhere between 6% – 27% of end-stage kidney disease and is most common among patients 50 years old or older.

The progression of these types of kidney diseases is often multifaceted and involves complex hormonal-immunological cellular interactions. Since ischemic kidney disease often involves damage that occurs to many different types of cells, the conditions have often been demonstrated to be resistant to conventional therapy. 

Considering mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) provide renal protection, their anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties are of interest in an effort to better understand how they can be therapeutically used to treat and prevent acute kidney ischemia (AKI).

In this review, Zhu et al. examine recent progress in the use of MSC to prevent kidney diseases, with a specific focus on chronic ischemic kidney disease (CIKD).

When used to treat CIKD, MSCs have been found to achieve renal cellular repair in a number of different ways. Initially, and upon infusion, MSCs home to the injury site and release homing receptors, growth factors, and anti-inflammatory cytokines to the injury site. They also release similar microparticles that promote kidney repair through internalization in other cells, allowing for reduced intrarenal inflammation and the promotion of vascular regeneration. 

Examining the results of clinical trials exploring the use of MSC to treat CIKD, and considering patients with diabetes mellitus often develop chronic kidney issues, including diabetic nephropathy (DN), the authors believe the beneficial application of the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulating features of MSC could help in the treatment of DN.

While Zhu et al. highlights the potential of MSCs in the treatment of CIKD in this review, they also identify potential limitations, including the potential for MSCs to form teratoma or other tumors (to date, no direct evidence of kidney tumor formation has been reported) and exactly how long the effects of MSC on kidney protection will last. As a way to address both potential limitations, the authors recommend longer follow-up times to ensure all potential detrimental effects of MSC use in humans are known and accounted for.

The review concludes that while further studies are needed to discern the chief elements of their actions and to define the optimal type (tissue source, preconditioning), dose, and delivery route, MSCs demonstrate remarkable potential for future treatment of ischemic kidney disease.


Source: “Concise Review: Mesenchymal Stem Cell Treatment for Ischemic ….” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3795813/.

Peptide BPC-157 Demonstrates Healing Effects on End-Stage Kidney Disease

Peptide BPC-157 Demonstrates Healing Effects on End-Stage Kidney Disease

End-stage kidney disease (ESKD) occurs when the kidneys cannot function at a level that supports the body’s needs. The kidneys serve a critical role in the body, removing waste and excess water. 

Patients with chronic kidney disease may find the functionality of their kidneys declines slowly over ten to twenty years before reaching this stage. The most common causes of ESKD are diabetes and high blood pressure.

How Is ESKD Treated?

The two primary conventional treatments for ESKD are dialysis and kidney transplants. Patients who have retained only 10%–15% of their kidney function typically require dialysis. 

Dialysis takes over the following functions of the kidneys as their performance declines:

  • Removing excess waste, water, and salt
  • Maintaining safe levels of vitamins and minerals
  • Controlling blood pressure
  • Helping produce red blood cells

Frequently, patients require dialysis while they wait for a kidney transplant.

What Can Peptide BPC-157 Do for the ESKD?

Clinical studies examining peptides’ effects on restoring organ function found significant benefits in treating ESKD with peptide BPC-157. Peptides are strings of amino acids that create proteins in the body. While the body naturally produces peptides, scientists can also form them in a lab to mimic those in the body.

In a 2019 clinical case, a patient whose kidney function had declined to the point that he required five dialysis treatments a week to stay alive underwent peptide therapy to repair the organ damage. 

The treatment resulted in a dramatic improvement in his kidney function and overall health. Within two months, the patient’s dialysis needs declined from five weekly treatments to one, and the peptides remarkably restored his gait, strength, and balance.  

The Significance of Peptide Treatments

The importance of the healing effects of peptide treatments can’t be understated. Patients with chronic kidney failure, heart failure, and other conditions currently have minimal options through conventional medicine. 

As peptide treatments and other innovative medical approaches deliver positive results, it opens the door to further studies and potential therapy options for previously untreatable conditions.

Evaluating Stem Cells As A Treatment Option For Kidney Disease

Evaluating Stem Cells As A Treatment Option For Kidney Disease

Current estimates indicate that kidney disease currently affects over 37 million US adults and over 10% of the global population[1]. Characterized by gradual loss of function, kidney disease generally progresses over time and culminates in the inability to remove waste and excess fluid from the blood[2].  

Often demonstrating little to no symptoms in its early stages, chronic kidney disease tends to demonstrate increasing and dangerous symptoms as the condition advances.

To date, treatment for chronic kidney disease has been centered around causal control as a way of slowing the progression of the condition. However, these therapeutic treatment efforts, including multidrug therapy, have demonstrated an inability to reverse the condition from progressing to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and requiring additional therapy, dialysis, or kidney transplantation. 

Considering the high cost and disruption to normal life function associated with dialysis and the severe shortage of viable kidney donors, neither dialysis nor transplant has proven to be ideal or often recommended treatment strategies. As a result, there has been renewed interest in new and more effective therapeutic options to alleviate, cure, or prevent kidney disease and to improve a patient’s survival and quality of life.

Evaluating the numerous and growing therapeutic applications associated with stem cells’ ability for self-renewal, proliferation, and differentiation, Liu et al.’s review explores the potential benefits offered toward improving renal function and supporting structural repair in those afflicted with kidney disease.

Despite the promising benefits of using stem cells to kidney repair and disease treatment demonstrated through prior preclinical study, the authors point out that certain ethical issues regarding the origin of stem cells, and specifically embryonic stem cells (ESCs) need to be addressed and overcome before clinical application of SCs.

Regardless of the stated drawbacks, Liu et. al concludes that the existing evidence demonstrates that stem cell therapy appears to be a clinically viable alternative for kidney disease, specifically for restoring normal kidney function and for progressing understanding about tissue regeneration, drug screening, and disease modeling.   

Although stem cells demonstrate promise in this regard and while the immunomodulatory properties of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) appear to make them the most promising SC for treating kidney disease, the authors also point out that further research is needed before definitively concluding which source of SC is best suited for this application.

As a result of this review, and in an effort to realize these findings into clinical applications in the future, the authors call for larger rigorously designed clinical trials to further assist in determining the clinical efficacy of SC therapy in kidney disease – including the appropriate selection of cell types, number of SCs required, and the appropriate route of administration.

Source: “Stem cells: a potential treatment option for kidney diseases.” 25 Jun. 2020, https://stemcellres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13287-020-01751-2.


[1] “Chronic Kidney Disease Basics – CDC.” https://www.cdc.gov/kidneydisease/basics.html.

[2] “Chronic kidney disease – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic.” 3 Sep. 2021, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chronic-kidney-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20354521.

The Promise of Stem Cells for Acute Kidney Injury

The Promise of Stem Cells for Acute Kidney Injury

Stem cells have been used to repair and regenerate tissue and have been shown in recent years to have the plasticity necessary to improve conditions of solid organs. Given the success of bone marrow stem hematopoietic stem cells in this type of regenerative medicine, scientists have speculated that bone marrow stem cell mobilizers may be beneficial for treating organs that have undergone injury. Let’s discover stem cells for acute kidney injury and what potential they have for this condition.

Bone marrow stem cell mobilizers are substances that act to encourage stem cells from the bone marrow to move into the blood, where they can be collected, stored, and later used to replace bone marrow via a stem cell transplant. A recent paper published in Current Protein and Peptide Science covers about a decade of research on two bone marrow stem cell mobilizers, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and Plerixafor (AMD3100).

G-CSF is a glycoprotein that stimulates both stem cells and granulocytes to be released by bone marrow and enter the bloodstream. It is produced by a variety of tissues and immune cells and functionally acts as both a cytokine and a hormone. Plerixafor also stimulates the immune system and is used in patients with multiple myeloma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

According to the authors, the preclinical studies on the impact of these stem cell mobilizers confirm that these mobilizers may be an effective way to therapeutically approach with stem cells for acute kidney injury. While more research is needed to determine exactly how these bone marrow stem cell mobilizers act in acute kidney injury and what role they may play in therapy, these initial data appear to justify more investigations into the value of these substances for kidney care.

Reference: Xu, Y. et al. (2017). Stem cell mobilizers: Novel therapeutics for acute kidney injury. Current Protein Peptide Science, 18(12), 1195-1199.

Using Exosomes to Treat Kidney Diseases: State of the Research

Using Exosomes to Treat Kidney Diseases: State of the Research

Kidney diseases are among the most expensive and most debilitating diseases. Total costs are in excess of $50 billion a year, with $30 billion spent on people with end-stage renal disease including hemodialysis and kidney transplantation. People with kidney diseases have diminished quality of life, and substantial amounts of their time are devoted to medical treatment. Not surprisingly, researchers are aggressively pursuing novel therapies to treat kidney diseases before they result in end-stage renal disease. Stem cells and exosomes are among the most exciting and the most promising research topics in this area.

Most cells release tiny packets called extracellular vesicles. The most notable extracellular vesicles are exosomes. While small, exosomes are filled with high concentrations of potentially helpful substances such as RNA, DNA, and proteins. While most cells release exosomes, researchers are particularly interested in exosomes released by stem cells. It is within these exosomes that stem cells pass along the substances that make stem cells helpful in tissue repair and regeneration.

Zhang and coauthors reviewed the recent advances that have been made using exosomes to treat kidney diseases. Most of the work has focused on acute kidney injury or AKI.  Acute kidney injury can lead to chronic kidney disease and kidney failure. Thus, if one could stop AKI, they could potentially reduce the risk of chronic kidney disease.

Many different research groups have shown the power of exosomes and other extracellular vesicles in treating acute kidney injury. Exosomes taken from mesenchymal stem cells protected kidney cells from cell death and fibrosis and helped them repair themselves. The same was true of exosomes derived human umbilical cord stem cells. Even stem cells taken from human liver cells were able to improve kidney function after injury. There are many other examples.

Gatti et al. reported that extracellular vesicles derived from human adult mesenchymal stem cells could protect against acute kidney injury, but, most impressively, also halted the progression of AKI to chronic kidney disease. This finding has important implications for people who suffer from serious acute kidney illnesses, such as kidney ischemia. It means that—if confirmed in human studies—stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles can help treat kidney disease in the short term and reduce the risk of that illness becoming a chronic, debilitating problem.

Further research is needed in this field but, initial results confirmed by many laboratories have created well-founded enthusiasm for the future.

Reference: Zhang, W. et al. (2016). Extracellular vesicles in diagnosis and therapy of kidney diseases. American Journal of Physiology – Renal Physiology. 2016, Nov 1; 311(5): F844-F851.

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