Posted on 07/27/2023 9:15:36 PM PDT by ConservativeMind
Researchers have identified a potential dietary supplement that may improve recovery following acute kidney injury (AKI). The finding comes from a long-running research program investigating how cells take up a specialized omega-3 lipid called LPC-DHA.
A major public health concern, AKI has a mortality rate of 20 to 50%.
One of the main causes of AKI is ischemic reperfusion injury, which occurs when the kidney's blood supply is restored after a period of restricted blood flow and poor oxygen delivery due to illness, injury or surgical intervention. In particular, it damages a crucial part of the kidney called the S3 proximal tubules that regulate the levels of absorption of water and soluble substances, including salts.
"AKI is a serious health problem with limited treatment options," said Dr. Randy Loke. "We sought to understand how these tubules repair themselves and found that the activity of the protein Mfsd2a, which transports LPC-DHA into cells, is a key factor influencing the rate of recovery of kidney function after ischemic reperfusion injury."
In their study, the researchers discovered that preclinical models with reduced levels of Mfsd2a showed delayed recovery, increased damage and inflammation after kidney injury. However, when these models were treated with LPC-DHA, their kidney function improved and the damage was reduced. LPC-DHA also restored the structure of the S3 proximal tubules, helping them function properly again.
"While more research is needed, the potential of LPC-DHA as a dietary supplement is exciting for future recipients who have suffered from AKI," said Professor David Silver, the senior author of the study and Deputy Director of the CVMD Program. "As our results suggest that LPC-DHA could become a safe and effective treatment that offers lifelong protection, its potential can help protect the kidneys and aid in recovery for these individuals."
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
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