Lipid-Mediated Factors in Chronic Kidney Disease

Lipid metabolism exerts a central influence on the development and progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Dyslipidaemia – characterised by elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides and apolipoprotein B alongside reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) – drives glomerular and tubular injury through multiple mechanisms. Modified lipoproteins accumulate within the mesangium, promoting foam cell formation, oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory signalling that exacerbate extracellular matrix deposition and glomerulosclerosis. Systemic lipid disturbances also impair endothelial function, compromise microvascular perfusion and heighten susceptibility to albuminuria. Conversely, certain lipid species and interventions, including polyunsaturated fatty acids and Rho-kinase inhibitors, have demonstrated renoprotective effects by attenuating inflammatory cascades and mesangial expansion. Understanding the interplay between lipid profiles, genetic predisposition and renal pathology has underpinned novel strategies for risk stratification and targeted therapy. Globally, the burden of CKD is amplified by the co-existence of cardiovascular disease, underscoring the need for integrated approaches that address both lipid-mediated renal injury and cardiometabolic risk.

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Lipid-Mediated Factors in Chronic Kidney Disease publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in lipid-mediated factors in chronic kidney disease across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Dyslipidaemia: Abnormal levels or composition of lipids in the blood, including cholesterol and triglycerides.

eGFR: Estimated glomerular filtration rate, a measure of kidney filtering capacity.

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol: A lipoprotein class that transports cholesterol and can promote arterial and renal damage when elevated.

High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol: A lipoprotein class involved in reverse cholesterol transport, often considered protective.

Apolipoprotein B: A primary protein component of atherogenic lipoproteins, indicative of circulating particle number.

Oxidative stress: An imbalance between reactive oxygen species and antioxidant defences, contributing to tissue injury.

References

1. The causal effects of lipid traits on kidney function in Africans: bidirectional and multivariable Mendelian-randomization study. EBioMedicine (2023).
2. Causal association of plasma circulating metabolites with nephritis: a Mendelian randomization study. Frontiers in Nutrition (2024).
3. The association of apolipoprotein B with chronic kidney disease in the Chinese population. Frontiers in Endocrinology (2023).