Oxidative Stress and Cardiovascular Implications in Chronic Kidney Disease
Summary
Oxidative stress plays a central role in the initiation and progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and its associated cardiovascular complications. In CKD, diminished renal clearance leads to the accumulation of uraemic toxins and pro-oxidant molecules, while antioxidant defences are often compromised. Excess reactive oxygen species (ROS) damage cellular lipids, proteins and nucleic acids, triggering inflammation, endothelial dysfunction and vascular remodelling. Mitochondrial impairment further amplifies ROS generation, undermining energy production and accelerating glomerular and tubular injury. Persisting oxidative damage fosters atherosclerosis, arterial stiffness and left ventricular hypertrophy, substantially elevating cardiovascular mortality in CKD populations. Lifestyle and dietary factors modulate systemic redox balance, offering potential preventive strategies. Despite promising preclinical data on antioxidants and mitochondrial-targeted agents, translation into clinical practice remains limited. A comprehensive understanding of redox biology in CKD is essential to develop targeted interventions and reduce the global burden of cardiorenal disease.
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Oxidative Stress and Cardiovascular Implications in Chronic Kidney Disease publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in oxidative stress and cardiovascular implications in chronic kidney disease across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Oxidative stress: Imbalance between pro-oxidant generation and antioxidant defence, leading to molecular damage.
Reactive oxygen species (ROS): Highly reactive oxygen-containing molecules that can injure cellular components.
Oxidative Balance Score (OBS): Quantitative index of individual exposure to dietary and lifestyle antioxidants versus pro-oxidants.
Chronic kidney disease (CKD): Progressive deterioration of renal function over months to years, often accompanied by systemic complications.
Mitochondria: Organelles responsible for energy production and a primary source of intracellular ROS.
Atherosclerosis: Chronic arterial disorder characterised by lipid accumulation, inflammation and oxidative injury to vessel walls.
References
- Oxidative Stress in the Pathogenesis and Evolution of Chronic Kidney Disease: Untangling Ariadne’s Thread. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2019).
- Chronic Kidney Disease as Oxidative Stress- and Inflammatory-Mediated Cardiovascular Disease. Antioxidants (2020).
- Mechanisms of Cardiovascular Disorders in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease: A Process Related to Accelerated Senescence. Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology (2020).
- Mitochondrial Reactive Oxygen Species and Their Contribution in Chronic Kidney Disease Progression Through Oxidative Stress. Frontiers in Physiology (2021).
- Mitochondria: a new therapeutic target in chronic kidney disease. Nutrition & Metabolism (2015).
- Association between the Oxidative Balance Score and Incident Chronic Kidney Disease in Adults. Antioxidants (2023).
- Association between oxidative balance score in adults with and without chronic kidney disease: 2011–2028 NHANES. Frontiers in Nutrition (2024).
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