Age-specific normal reference ranges for 99mTc-DTPA glomerular filtration rate to use with two-sample slope-intercept method and Jodal Brochner-Mortensen correction

Healthy and unhealthy aging on kidney structure and function: human studies

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review is intended to provide an up-to-date analysis of the structural and functional alterations of the kidneys that accompany healthy and unhealthy aging in humans. Macro- and micro- structural changes and glomerular filtration rate (whole kidney and single nephron) accompanying aging will be stressed.

RECENT FINDINGS

Comparative findings concerning distribution of anatomic changes of the kidney healthy and unhealthy aging are reviewed. Challenges concerning definition of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in otherwise healthy aging patients are discussed. The complex interactions of CKD and aging are discussed. The role of podocyte dysbiosis in kidney aging is reviewed.

SUMMARY

Kidney aging is a complex phenomenon often difficult to distinguish from CKD. Nonetheless, phenotypes of healthy and unhealthy aging are evident. Much more information concerning the molecular characteristics of normal kidney aging and its relevance to chronic kidney disease is needed.