A new study from the Medical University of Vienna reveals that high blood pressure alone—without the presence of diabetes—can cause structural changes in the kidneys, potentially leading to early-stage kidney damage.
The findings, published in the journal *Hypertension*, underscore the importance of early detection and consistent management of hypertension to protect kidney health.
The research team, led by Christopher Paschen and Rainer Oberbauer from the Clinical Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, and Heinz Regele from the Clinical Department of Pathology, analyzed kidney tissue samples from 99 patients.
The participants either had arterial hypertension and type 2 diabetes, or were healthy controls with neither condition. All samples were obtained from unaffected kidney tissue during tumour nephrectomies performed between 2013 and 2018.
Using state-of-the-art imaging and artificial intelligence, the researchers measured the size and density of podocytes—specialized cells in the glomeruli, or kidney’s filtration units—and the overall volume of glomeruli.
Podocytes are essential for proper kidney filtration, and their characteristics serve as key indicators of renal health.
The AI-driven analysis showed that patients with hypertension exhibited a reduced density of podocytes and enlarged cell nuclei compared to healthy controls. These changes were present even in the absence of diabetes and likely represent early signs of kidney damage.
“These findings suggest that high blood pressure can independently initiate structural kidney damage before any clinical symptoms emerge,” said Christopher Paschen, the study’s first author.
According to senior investigators Rainer Oberbauer and Heinz Regele, the research points to the potential for early interventions to prevent the progression of chronic kidney disease.
“Early detection and timely treatment of high blood pressure could slow down kidney damage and reduce the risk of long-term complications,” they stated.
Hypertension and type 2 diabetes are leading causes of chronic kidney disease. While the impact of diabetes on the kidneys is well-established, the direct role of hypertension—particularly in the absence of diabetes—has remained unclear until now.
This study provides new insight that could help improve early diagnosis, inform treatment decisions, and ultimately lead to better health outcomes for patients at risk of kidney disease.
The study is published in Hypertension.
Copyright © 2025 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
