Acute kidney injury, also known as AKI, is a sudden and serious drop in how well the kidneys work.
It often happens after major health issues like blood infections or heart surgery. More than half of all people in intensive care end up with AKI.
This condition can be deadly and also raises the risk of developing permanent kidney problems later in life. Right now, there are no approved medicines to treat AKI.
Researchers at the University of Utah Health have made an exciting discovery. They found that a type of fatty molecule called ceramide plays a key role in starting AKI. These ceramides damage the mitochondria, which are the energy-producing parts of kidney cells.
The team then used an experimental drug to change how ceramides are processed. As a result, the drug protected the mitochondria and stopped kidney injury in mice.
Dr. Scott Summers, the lead researcher, said they were amazed by the results. By turning off ceramides, they completely stopped the damage from AKI. The kidneys kept working normally, and the mitochondria remained healthy. This breakthrough was reported in the journal Cell Metabolism.
Earlier work from the same lab showed that ceramides can also harm other organs like the heart and liver. In this study, the researchers looked at ceramide levels in mice with AKI and also in human urine samples.
They found that ceramide levels went up quickly after kidney damage and rose higher with more severe injuries. This means that high ceramide levels might help doctors spot AKI early, even before symptoms start.
The researchers also changed the genes in mice to stop ceramide production. These genetically modified mice did not develop AKI, even when their kidneys were under a lot of stress. The team then tested a drug made by Centaurus Therapeutics, a company started by Dr. Summers.
This backup drug lowered ceramide levels. When given to mice before injury, it protected their kidneys. The mice stayed active, their kidney function stayed normal, and under the microscope, their kidneys looked healthy.
The drug worked by keeping the mitochondria safe. In normal AKI, the mitochondria become damaged and stop working properly. But with the drug, they stayed in good shape and kept making energy for the cells.
While the drug used in this study is not the same one currently being tested in humans, it is very similar. Dr. Summers said that mouse studies don’t always mean the drug will work in people, so more research is needed. Even so, these results are very promising. The drug could one day be given to patients before surgery or other high-risk events to prevent AKI.
Because the drug helps protect mitochondria, the researchers believe it could also help with other diseases that involve mitochondrial problems, such as heart failure, diabetes, and fatty liver disease. If the drug proves safe and effective in people, it could have a big impact on many serious health problems.
If you care about kidney health, please read studies about how to protect your kidneys from diabetes, and drinking coffee could help reduce risk of kidney injury.
For more information about kidney health, please see recent studies about foods that may prevent recurrence of kidney stones, and eating nuts linked to lower risk of chronic kidney disease and death.
The study is published in Cell Metabolism.
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