Association of subcutaneous and visceral adiposity with albuminuria: the Framingham Heart Study

Association of visceral adipose tissue with albuminuria and interaction between visceral adiposity and diabetes on albuminuria

AIMS

To explore the correlation between visceral adipose tissue and albuminuria, and whether there is interaction between visceral adipose tissue and diabetes on albuminuria.

METHODS

The study subjects were adult subjects (age ≥ 18 years) from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) database of the USA in 2017-2018. Visceral fat area (VFA) was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Subjects were divided into three groups according to VFA: low (VFA 0-60cm2), medium (VFA 60-120 cm2) and high (VFA ≥ 120 cm2). Albuminuria was defined as urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) ≥ 30 mg/g. The statistical analysis software used is STATA 17.0.

RESULTS

Data pertaining to 2965 participants (2706 without albuminuria) were included in the analysis. High VFA is an independent risk factor for albuminuria (OR 1.367, 95% CI 1.023-1.827). In the low-VFA group, there is no significant association between diabetes and albuminuria (OR 1.415, 95% CI 0.145-13.849). In the medium-VFA group, diabetes is an independent risk factor for albuminuria (OR 2.217, 95% CI 1.095-4.488). In the high-VFA group, diabetes is also an independent risk factor for albuminuria (OR 5.150, 95% CI 3.150-8.421). There is an additive interaction between high VFA (VFA ≥ 120 cm2) and diabetes on the effect of albuminuria (RERI 3.757, 95% CI 0.927-6.587, p = 0.009), while no multiplication interaction (OR 1.881, 95% CI 0.997-1.023, p = 0.141).

CONCLUSIONS

High VFA may represent an independent risk factor for albuminuria. The amount of visceral fat may affect the effect of diabetes on albuminuria. The higher the visceral fat, the stronger the correlation between diabetes and albuminuria should be present. We suppose an additive interaction between VFA and diabetes on the effect of albuminuria.

Measuring Albuminuria in Individuals With Obesity: Pitfalls of the Urinary Albumin-Creatinine Ratio

An increased urinary albumin excretion rate is an important early risk factor for chronic kidney disease and other major outcomes and is usually measured using the urinary albumin-creatinine ratio (ACR). Obesity is highly prevalent in the general and chronic kidney disease populations and is an independent risk factor for moderately increased albuminuria (henceforth, moderate albuminuria). In this review, we describe how the ACR was developed and used to define moderate albuminuria. We then investigate how biases related to urinary creatinine excretion are introduced into the ACR measurement and how the use of the 30-mg/g threshold decreases the performance of the test in populations with higher muscle mass, with a primary focus on why and how this occurs in the obese population. The discussion then raises several strategies that can be used to mitigate such bias. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the medical literature on the uses and limitations of ACR in individuals with obesity and critically assesses related issues. It also raises into question the widely accepted 30-mg/g threshold as universally adequate for the diagnosis of moderate albuminuria. The implications of our review are relevant for clinicians, epidemiologists, and clinical trialists.

Dose-response association of diabetic kidney disease with routine clinical parameters in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a leading cause of end-stage kidney disease and is associated with high mortality rates. The influence of routine clinical parameters on DKD onset in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) remains uncertain.

Methods

In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched multiple databases, including PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library, for studies published from each database inception until January 11, 2024. We included cohort studies examining the association between DKD onset and various clinical parameters, including body mass index (BMI), hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and serum uric acid (UA). Random-effect dose-response meta-analyses utilizing one-stage and/or cubic spline models, were used to estimate correlation strength. This study is registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022326148).

Findings

This analysis of 46 studies involving 317,502 patients found that in patients with T2DM, the risk of DKD onset increased by 3% per 1 kg/m2 increase in BMI (relative risk (RR) = 1.03, confidence interval (CI) [1.01-1.04], I2 = 70.07%; GRADE, moderate); a 12% increased risk of DKD onset for every 1% increase in HbA1c (RR = 1.12, CI [1.07-1.17], I2 = 94.94%; GRADE, moderate); a 6% increased risk of DKD onset for every 5 mmHg increase in SBP (RR = 1.06. CI [1.03-1.09], I2 = 85.41%; GRADE, moderate); a 2% increased risk of DKD onset per 10 mg/dL increase in TG (RR = 1.02, CI [1.01-1.03], I2 = 78.45%; GRADE, low); an 6% decreased risk of DKD onset per 10 mg/dL increase in HDL (RR = 0.94, CI [0.92-0.96], I2 = 0.33%; GRADE, high), and a 11% increased risk for each 1 mg/dL increase in UA (RR = 1.11, CI [1.05-1.17], I2 = 79.46%; GRADE, moderate). Subgroup analysis revealed a likely higher risk association of clinical parameters (BMI, HbA1c, LDL, and UA) in patients with T2DM for less than 10 years.

Interpretation

BMI, HbA1c, SBP, TG, HDL and UA are potential predictors of DKD onset in patients with T2DM. Given high heterogeneity between included studies, our findings should be interpreted with caution, but they suggest monitoring of these clinical parameters to identify individuals who may be at risk of developing DKD.

Funding

Shenzhen Science and Innovation Fund, the Hong Kong Research Grants Council, and the HKU Seed Funds, and Scientific and technological innovation project of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences.

Towards an adiposity-related disease framework for the diagnosis and management of obesities

Obesity is a complex disease that relapses frequently and associates with multiple complications that comprise a worldwide health priority because of its rising prevalence and association with numerous complications, including metabolic disorders, mechanic pathologies, and cancer, among others. Noteworthy, excess adiposity is accompanied by chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, insulin resistance, and subsequent organ dysfunction. This dysfunctional adipose tissue is initially stored in the visceral depot, overflowing subsequently to produce lipotoxicity in ectopic depots like liver, heart, muscle, and pancreas, among others. People living with obesity need a diagnostic approach that considers an exhaustive pathophysiology and complications assessment. Thus, it is essential to warrant a holistic diagnosis and management that guarantees an adequate health status, and quality of life. The present review summarizes the different complications associated with obesity, at the same time, we aim to fostering a novel framework that enhances a patient-centered approach to obesity management in the precision medicine era.

A novel index, Chinese visceral adiposity index is closely associated with urinary albumin-creatinine ratio in Chinese community adults, especially in hypertensive or hyperglycemic population: Results from the REACTION study

BACKGROUND

The association between the Chinese Visceral Adiposity Index (CVAI) and urinary albumin to creatinine ratio (UACR) has not been illustrated. The current study aimed to investigate the association between CVAI and UACR and to compare the discriminative power of CVAI, triglyceride, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) with UACR in the Chinese community population.

METHODS

This study included 34 732 participants from the REACTION (Risk Evaluation of cAncers in Chinese diabeTic Individuals) study. Binary logistic regression analyses were performed to detect the association between CVAI, triglyceride, BMI, WC, WHR and UACR.

RESULTS

Binary logistic regression analysis showed that, after adjusting for potential confounders, in women, CVAI (odds ratio [OR]:1.16, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01-1.34) and triglyceride (OR: 1.18, 95% CI: 1.04-1.33) were associated with UACR, whereas BMI, WC, and WHR were not associated with UACR; in men, CVAI (OR: 1.24, 95% CI: 1.02-1.50), WC (OR: 1.21, 95% CI 1.00-1.48), and triglycerides (OR: 1.18, 95% CI 0.97-1.44) were associated with UACR, whereas BMI and WHR were not associated with UACR. Stratified analysis showed that the correlation between CVAI and UACR was stronger in the population with 5.6 ≤ fasting blood glucose (FBG) <7.0 or 7.8 ≤ post-load blood glucose (PBG) <11.1 mmol/L, FBG ≥7.0 or PBG ≥11.1, systolic blood pressure ≥140 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure ≥90 mmHg.

CONCLUSIONS

In the Chinese general population, CVAI and UACR were significantly associated in both genders. At higher CVAI levels, the population with prediabetes, diabetes, and hypertension has a more significant association between CVAI and UACR.

The Beneficial Effects of Bariatric-Surgery-Induced Weight Loss on Renal Function

Obesity represents an independent risk factor for the development of chronic kidney disease (CKD), leading to specific histopathological alterations, known as obesity-related glomerulopathy. Bariatric surgery is the most effective means of inducing and maintaining sustained weight loss. Furthermore, in the context of bariatric-surgery-induced weight loss, a reduction in the proinflammatory state and an improvement in the adipokine profile occur, which may also contribute to the improvement of renal function following bariatric surgery. However, the assessment of renal function in the context of obesity and following marked weight loss is difficult, since the formulas adopted to estimate glomerular function use biomarkers whose production is dependent on muscle mass (creatinine) or adipose tissue mass and inflammation (cystatin-c). Thus, following bariatric surgery, the extent to which reductions in plasma concentrations reflect the actual improvement in renal function is not clear. Despite this limitation, the available literature suggests that in patients with hyperfiltration at baseline, GFR is reduced following bariatric surgery, whereas GFR is increased in patients with decreased GFR at baseline. These findings are also confirmed in the few studies that have used measured rather than estimated GFR. Albuminuria is also decreased following bariatric surgery. Moreover, bariatric surgery seems superior in achieving the remission of albuminuria and early CKD than the best medical treatment. In this article, we discuss the pathophysiology of renal complications in obesity, review the mechanisms through which weight loss induces improvements in renal function, and provide an overview of the renal outcomes following bariatric surgery.

Sex difference in the association between pathological albuminuria and subclinical atherosclerosis: insights from the I-Lan longitudinal aging study

Background: Pathological albuminuria (PAU) (urinary albumin creatinine ratio [UACR] ≥30 mg/g) is an independent risk factor of cardiovascular disease. PAU is more prevalent in men than women. We aimed to compare the association of PAU and the early phase of subclinical atherosclerosis (SA) between sexes.

Methods: 1228 subjects aged 50–90 years were stratified by sex and UACR (normal or PAU). SA was defined as mean carotid intima-media thickness ≥75th percentile of the cohort. Demographics and SA prevalence were compared between groups. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to assess the relationship between PAU and SA.

Results: Both men and women with PAU had increased prevalence of hypertension, anti-hypertensive therapy, and metabolic syndrome than controls. Men with PAU were older and had greater waist circumference and total body fat percentage. Sex disparity was observed in associations between waist-to-height ratio, total body fat, and UACR. After adjusting for traditional risk factors, multivariate logistic regression disclosed that PAU was independently associated with SA in men (adjusted odds ratio 1.867, 95% CI 1.066–3.210) but not in women.

Conclusion: The relationship of PAU and SA differed between sexes. This result may highlight the need for sex-specific risk management strategies to prevent atherosclerosis.

Insights into Cognitive Brain Health in Chronic Kidney Disease

Cognitive impairment and Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) are common in older adults. With advances in medicine, the average lifespan is expected to increase, further increasing the prevalence of both conditions. The mechanisms underlying cognitive impairment in CKD are unclear. While mild-moderately low estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) may not be associated with cognitive impairment, severely decreased eGFR and albuminuria do. Patients on dialysis have a high prevalence of cognitive impairment. Cognitive function improves after kidney transplantation. However, some residual cognitive deficits persist after transplantation, indicating that restoring the kidney function alone may not be enough to restore cognitive function, and other etiological factors may play a role. Albuminuria, another marker of CKD is also associated with cognitive impairment. However, albuminuria is often undiagnosed. Improving early identification and management of patients with albuminuria may be a good population-based dementia prevention strategy. Other factors associated with cognitive impairment in CKD include anemia and other metabolic derangements commonly observed in CKD. In this article, we reviewed the prevalence of cognitive impairment in CKD, the potential mechanisms underlying cognitive impairment in CKD, andthecurrent evidence on the association between cognitive impairment and eGFR and albuminuria.

The Association Between Visceral Adiposity Index and Worsening Renal Function in the Elderly

Background

Visceral adiposity index (VAI) is an indicator of visceral fat accumulation and dysfunction. However, little is known about whether VAI is associated with worsening renal function (WRF) in the elderly. Therefore, our study aimed to explore the association between VAI and WRF among the elderly population.

Methods

In total, 5,583 elderly participants (aged ≥ 65 years) who participated in the annual health checkups at least twice between January 2017 and July 2021 were enrolled and divided into four groups according to the VAI quartiles. The primary endpoint was incident chronic kidney disease (CKD), defined as incident estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 60 ml/min/1.73 m². The secondary endpoint was rapid kidney function decline (RKFD), defined as decline in eGFR of 40%. To evaluate the association between VAI and WRF, three Cox regression models were conducted, where VAI was treated as a continuous variable and a categorical variable (Q1 as reference), respectively. Subgroup analysis in participants with different baseline characteristics was also performed.

Results

During a median of 2.46 year follow-up, 931 (16.68%) participants developed CKD. After fully adjusting for confounding factors, VAI was significantly associated with incident CKD (HR, 1.052; 95% CI: 1.029–1.076, p < 0.001), and RKFD (HR, 1.077; 95% CI: 1.041–1.114, p < 0.001). Moreover, compared to those with the lowest VAI quartiles, subjects with the highest quartiles had a higher risk of incident CKD (HR, 1.286; 95% CI: 1.033–1.601, p = 0.024), and RKFD (HR, 1.895; 95% CI: 1.086–3.307, p = 0.025). The risk of incident CKD also tended to increase with elevated VAI quartiles (all p-values for trend <0.05). This positive association remained consistent among participants with different genders, baseline weights, or kidney functions.

Conclusion

In our study, elevated VAI was associated with increased risk of incident CKD and RKFD in the elderly population.

Obesity, Weight Loss, Lifestyle Interventions, and Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease

Obesity remains a growing public health concern in industrialized countries around the world. The prevalence of obesity has also continued to rise in those with chronic kidney disease. Epidemiological data suggests those with overweight and obesity, measured by body mass index, have an increased risk for rapid kidney disease progression. Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease causes growth and proliferation of kidney cysts resulting in a reduction in kidney function in the majority of adults. An accumulation of adipose tissue may further exacerbate the metabolic defects that have been associated with ADPKD by affecting various cell signaling pathways. Lifestyle interventions inducing weight loss might help delay disease progression by reducing adipose tissue and systematic inflammation. Further research is needed to determine the mechanistic influence of adipose tissue on disease progression.

A Pilot Study of Nutritional Status Prior to Bariatric Surgery in South China

Objective: The was a pilot study to assess the biochemical and historical information about bariatric patients before undergoing the surgery in the aim of identifying nutritional deficiencies and their prevalence from 2015 to 2020.

Methods: Clinical data of 247 patients (105 males and 142 females) were included. Vitamins, trace elements, electrolytes, albumin, globulin, hemoglobin, folate, ferritin, microalbuminuria (MAU), and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels were determined to explore the nutritional status according to gender, age, high body mass index (BMI), and waist circumstance (WC).

Results: The mean age, mean BMI, and mean WC of the candidates were 32.95 ± 10.46 years, 38.01 ± 7.11 kg/m², and 117.04 ± 16.18 cm, respectively. The prevalence of preoperative nutritional deficiencies was 76.88% for 25 (OH) vitamin D, 19.84% for globulin, 11.74% for albumin, 11.02% for sodium, 8.33% for folic acid, 10.48% (male) and 6.34% (female) for chloride, 4.05% for calcium, 3.07% (male) and 0.70%(female) for ferritin, 11.90% for elevated PTH, and 44.96% for MAU. Males exhibited increased prevalence of globulin and MAU relative to females (P < 0.05). Older groups are more likely to exhibit albumin deficiency (P = 0.007), globulin deficiency (P = 0.003), and zinc deficiency (P = 0.015). In addition, 25 (OH) D deficiency and albumin deficiency were more common in patients with BMI ≥ 47.5 kg/m² (P = 0.049 and 0.015, respectively). Wider WC (≥150 cm) exhibited higher rates of albumin deficiencies (P = 0.011).

Conclusion: Electrolyte and nutritional deficiencies were common in patients prior to bariatric surgery in South China. Routine evaluation of electrolyte and nutritional levels should be carried out in this population.

Agomelatine protects against obesity-induced renal injury by inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum stress/apoptosis pathway in rats

Obesity is recognized as a risk for the development of chronic kidney disease. Excessive fat accumulation in obesity is associated with the overproduction of reactive oxygen species with the underproduction of antioxidant mechanisms generating oxidative stress together with chronic low-grade inflammation which subsequently leads to the development of several obesity-related complications. It has been suggested that the abnormal lipid accumulation can induce endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and cellular apoptosis in several tissue types. Agomelatine is a relatively new antidepressant which is a synthetic agonist of melatonin. Previous study reported the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of agomelatine. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic effects of agomelatine in obesity-related renal injury. Male Wistar rats were fed with normal diet or high-fat diet (HF) for 16 weeks. After that, vehicle or agomelatine or vildagliptin was orally administered to HF rats for 4 weeks. Our results indicated that HF rats demonstrated insulin resistance which was accompanied by an impairment of renal function and renal organic anion transporter 3 (Oat3) function as well as renal oxidative stress, ER stress, and apoptosis. Interestingly, agomelatine treatment not only improved the metabolic parameters, renal function and renal Oat3 function but also attenuated renal oxidative stress, ER stress and subsequent apoptosis. Therefore, agomelatine exerted renoprotective effects in obese insulin-resistant condition. These results suggested that agomelatine could be used as a drug to improve metabolic disturbance and prevent kidney dysfunction in obese condition.

The Predictive Value of Visceral Adiposity Index and Lipid Accumulation Index for Microalbuminuria in Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes Patients

PURPOSE

This study aims to investigate the predictive value of visceral adiposity index (VAI) and lipid accumulation index (LAP) for microalbuminuria (MAU) in patients with newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetes (T2DM).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This study included 335 patients with newly diagnosed T2DM patients from Hebei General Hospital. All the patients aged from 18 to 65 years old include 226 males and 109 females. Patients information and blood indicators were Collected and calculated the LAP and VAI scores. All the patients were divided into males (group A) and females (group B), and these groups were then further subdivided into A1 group which arises microalbuminuria, and A2 group which does not. With the same method, women were divided into B1 group and B2 group.

RESULTS

Baseline data analysis showed that LAP and VAI levels in A1 and B1 groups were significantly higher than those in A2 and B2 groups (P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that fasting blood glucose, waist circumference, LAP, and VAI were independent risk factors for the occurrence of microalbuminuria in both males and females. ROC showed that the area under curve (AUC) of waist circumference, fasting blood glucose, LAP and VAI in male patients were 0.626, 0.676, 0.760 and 0.742, respectively, and in female patients were 0.703, 0.685, 0.787 and 0.764, respectively. In addition, the area under the curve of both LAP and VAI was higher in females than in males.

CONCLUSION

This study confirmed that both LAP and VAI had predictive values for the occurrence of urinary microalbumin in newly diagnosed T2DM patients. The predictive value was higher in the female group and the suggestion was more applicable to female patients.

Anthropometric Measures and Incident Diabetic Nephropathy in Participants With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of diabetes is on the rise globally coupled with its associated complications, such as diabetic nephropathy (DN). Obesity has been identified as a risk factor for the development of DN but it is still unclear which obesity index is the best predictor of incident DN.

METHODS

Data from the participants with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in the Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes (ACCORD) study were used to examine the sex-specific association between waist circumference (WC), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), and body mass index (BMI) with incident DN risk.

RESULTS

Among the 8,887 participants with T2DM (5,489 men and 3,398 women), 5,296 participants (3,345 men and 1,951 women) developed the DN composite outcome during a follow-up period of 24302 person-years. Among men, null associations were observed between all anthropometric measures with incident DN in the multivariate analysis although the 3^rd quartile of WHtR showed marginally significant results (P = 0.052). However, among women, both central and general obesity measures were associated with increased risks of incident DN. Compared with participants in the WC <88 cm category, the fully adjusted HR and 95% CI for those in the ≥88 cm of WC was 1.35 (95% CI 1.15-1.57). Compared with the lowest quartile, the fully adjusted HRs and 95% CIs for the 2^nd to the 4^th quartile of WHtR were 1.09 (95% CI 0.96-1.25), 1.12 (95% CI 0.98-1.28), and 1.14 (95% CI 1.00-1.30) respectively; also, compared with the normal BMI category, the fully adjusted HRs and 95% CIs for class I - class III obese were 1.36 (95% CI 1.10 - 1.67), 1.43 (95% CI 1.16 - 1.78) and 1.32 (95% CI 1.05 - 1.66) respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Among participants with T2DM, higher levels of both central and general obesity indexes were associated with DN risk among women but not in men. Women with T2DM should maintain a healthy weight targeted at reducing both central and general obesity to enhance nephroprotection. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov., no. NCT00000620.

The Association Between Insulin Resistance, Leptin, and Resistin and Diabetic Nephropathy in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients with Different Body Mass Indexes

AIM

This study aimed to compare HOMA-IR, leptin, and resistin as the risk factors for diabetic nephropathy in the type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with different BMI classifications.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 309 patients with T2DM were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. All participants were divided into three groups according to BMI: the normal weight group (18.5 kg/m²≤BMI<24 kg/m²), the overweight group (24kg/m²≤BMI<28 kg/m²) and the obesity group (BMI≥28 kg/m²). The clinical information and laboratory examinations were recorded in detail. Leptin and resistin levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTS

Higher HOMA-IR, leptin and resistin levels were found to be the risk factors for diabetic nephropathy when we made comparisons in the total population (P<0.05). In the normal weight group, logistic regression analysis showed that T2DM patients with higher HOMA-IR (OR=4.210, P=0.001), leptin (OR=2.474, P=0.031) and resistin levels (OR=8.299, P<0.001) had nearly 4-fold, 2-fold and 8-fold risk for diabetic nephropathy, respectively, after adjustments. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves indicated that the area under the curves (AUCs) of HOMA-IR and resistin were 0.699 (95% CI 0.617-0.772) and 0.790 (95% CI 0.715-0.854), respectively, which were significantly larger than the AUC of 0.5 (all P<0.001). However, no significant association was observed between HOMA-IR, leptin, and resistin and renal complications (all P>0.05) in the overweight and obesity groups in both logistic regression and AUC analysis.

CONCLUSION

Higher insulin resistance, leptin and resistin levels were observed as risk factors for diabetic nephropathy in T2DM patients with lower BMI. These were not obvious in the overweight and obese patients.

Renal changes and estimation of glomerular filtration rate using different equations in morbidly obese Egyptian patients

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Obesity is a worldwide pandemic with multiple consequences including kidney affection. This study aimed to assess the effects of obesity on renal functions and to detect the most reliable formula of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in morbidly obese patients.

METHODS

A cross-sectional, observational study was conducted on 82 morbidly obese patients. Anthropometric measurements were done for all patients and body adiposity (BAI) and visceral adiposity (VAI) indices were calculated after assessment of abdominal fat tissue analysis by computerized tomography (CT). Serum creatinine was incorporated into six different formulae of eGFR, then eGFR was compared with the 24-h measured creatinine clearance (CL_cr) values.

RESULTS

The mean body mass index was 55.8 ± 9.5 kg/m². Proteinuria and glomerular hyperfiltration (CL_cr > 130 ml/min/1.73 m²) were detected in 68.3% and 91.5% of the patients, respectively. Cockcroft-Gault formula using total (CCG-TBW-eGFR) and adjusted body water (CCG-AjBW-eGFR) had the nearest values to measured CL_Cr. These two formulae had a moderate reliability and the lowest percentage of error (30% and 23%, respectively). Visceral and total abdominal fat tissue surface area and volume assessed by CT were directly correlated to the 24-h urinary protein excretion (r = 0.32, 0.24, 0.37 and 0.34, respectively; p = 0.02, 0.03, 0.004 and 0.002, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Glomerular hyperfiltration and proteinuria are highly prevalent in morbidly obese patients. There is no ideal formula for GFR estimation in morbidly obese patients, however, TBW and AjBW incorporated into the Cockcroft-Gault can be helpful in those patients.

Obesity-Related Glomerulopathy: A Latent Change in Obesity Requiring More Attention

BACKGROUND

Obesity has become a major public health problem, and the prevalence of kidney diseases has increased in parallel. Among kidney diseases caused by metabolic disorders, obesity-related glomerulopathy (ORG) is secondary to obesity.

SUMMARY

ORG is mainly caused by glomerular hyperfiltration, dysregulation of hormone and cytokine secretion in adipose tissues, and ectopic lipid accumulation in renal cells. ORG is pathologically characterized by glomerular hypertrophy, with or without focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis. Patients with ORG usually present with proteinuria concomitant with metabolic disorders such as dyslipidemia and hypertension. Weight loss, RAAS inhibitors, and improved insulin resistance can reduce the progression of ORG.

CONCLUSION

ORG is a growing renal pathological change in obese individuals, and a comprehensive understanding of the disease is pivotal to avoid its occurrence and improve quality of life for those with obesity. Key Messages:This review comprehensively describes the characteristics of ORG in pathological changes, clinical manifestations, pathogeneses and treatments.

Relationship of visceral adiposity index with new-onset proteinuria in hypertensive patients

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Visceral adiposity index (VAI) is a sex-specific surrogate marker of adipose tissue distribution and function. Little is known about the longitudinal relationship between VAI and proteinuria. This study aimed to examine the prospective relationship of baseline VAI with new-onset of proteinuria in hypertensive patients without major cardiovascular diseases.

METHODS

A total of 10 699 hypertensive patients without proteinuria (negative urine dipstick reading) at baseline from the renal sub-study of the China Stroke Primary Prevention Trial (CSPPT) were included. Participants were randomly assigned to a double-blind daily treatment with 10 mg enalapril and 0.8 mg folic acid or 10 mg enalapril alone. Participants were followed every 3 months after randomization. The primary outcome was new-onset proteinuria, defined as a urine dipstick reading of ≥1+ at the exit visit. The secondary outcome was progression of proteinuria, defined as a urine dipstick reading of trace or ≥1+ at the exit visit.

RESULTS

During a median follow-up duration of 4.4 years, a total of 396 (3.7%) participants developed new-onset proteinuria, while 1236 (11.6%) participants met progression of proteinuria. When VAI was categorized into quartiles, compared with participants in quartile 1-3 (<2.99), a significantly higher risk of new-onset proteinuria (OR, 1.43; 95%CI: 1.07-1.91) and progression of proteinuria (OR, 1.23; 95%CI: 1.03-1.46) was found in those in quartile 4 (≥2.99). Moreover, the positive association was consistent in participants with or without general obesity, abdominal obesity, and dyslipidemia (all P-interactions > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

There was a positive association between VAI levels and the risk of new-onset proteinuria in hypertensive patients.

A Mendelian Randomization Study Provides Evidence That Adiposity and Dyslipidemia Lead to Lower Urinary Albumin-to-Creatinine Ratio, a Marker of Microvascular Function

Urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) is a marker of diabetic nephropathy and microvascular damage. Metabolic-related traits are observationally associated with ACR, but their causal role is uncertain. Here, we confirmed ACR as a marker of microvascular damage and tested whether metabolic-related traits have causal relationships with ACR. The association between ACR and microvascular function (responses to acetylcholine [ACH] and sodium nitroprusside) was tested in the SUMMIT study. Two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) was used to infer the causal effects of 11 metabolic risk factors, including glycemic, lipid, and adiposity traits, on ACR. MR was performed in up to 440,000 UK Biobank and 54,451 CKDGen participants. ACR was robustly associated with microvascular function measures in SUMMIT. Using MR, we inferred that higher triglyceride (TG) and LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) levels caused elevated ACR. A 1 SD higher TG and LDL-C level caused a 0.062 (95% CI 0.040, 0.083) and a 0.026 (95% CI 0.008, 0.044) SD higher ACR, respectively. There was evidence that higher body fat and visceral body fat distribution caused elevated ACR, while a metabolically "favorable adiposity" phenotype lowered ACR. ACR is a valid marker for microvascular function. MR suggested that seven traits have causal effects on ACR, highlighting the role of adiposity-related traits in causing lower microvascular function.

Gene co-expression networks are associated with obesity-related traits in kidney transplant recipients

Background

Obesity is common among kidney transplant recipients; However biological mediators of obesity are not well understood in this population. Because subcutaneous adipose tissue can be easily obtained during kidney transplant surgery, it provides a unique avenue for studying the mechanisms of obesity for this group. Although differential gene expression patterns were previously profiled for kidney transplant patients, gene co-expression patterns can shed light on gene modules not yet explored on the coordinative behaviors of gene transcription in biological and disease processes from a systems perspective.

Methods

In this study, we collected 29 demographic and clinical variables and matching microarray expression data for 26 kidney transplant patients. We conducted Weighted Gene Correlation Network Analysis (WGCNA) for 5758 genes with the highest average expression levels and related gene co-expression to clinical traits.

Results

A total of 35 co-expression modules were detected, two of which showed associations with obesity-related traits, mainly at baseline. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment was found for these two clinical trait-associated modules. One module consisting of 129 genes was enriched for a variety of processes, including cellular homeostasis and immune responses. The other module consisting of 36 genes was enriched for tissue development processes.

Conclusions

Our study generated gene co-expression modules associated with obesity-related traits in kidney transplant patients and provided new insights regarding the cellular biological processes underlying obesity in this population.

Relationship of Body Mass Index and Waist Circumference With Risk of New-Onset Proteinuria in Hypertensive Patients

CONTEXT

The association of the combination of body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) with the risk of proteinuria has previously not been comprehensively investigated and results have been inconclusive.

OBJECTIVE

To examine BMI and WC in relation to new-onset proteinuria in Chinese hypertensive patients.

DESIGN AND SETTING

Post hoc analysis of the renal substudy of the China Stroke Primary Prevention Trial (CSPPT).

PATIENTS

10 805 hypertensive patients without proteinuria at baseline.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

The primary outcome was new-onset proteinuria, defined as a urine dipstick protein reading ≥ 1 + at the exit visit, after a median follow-up duration of 4.4 years.

RESULTS

When analyzed separately, increased BMI (≥ 28 kg/m2, quartile 4; odds ratio [OR], 1.36; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.08-1.72), or increased WC (≥ 91cm for females, quartile 4; OR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.01-1.80; and ≥ 79 cm for males, quartile 2-4; OR, 1.60; 95% CI, 1.03-2.50) were each significantly associated with higher risk of new-onset proteinuria. When analyzed jointly, participants without increased BMI and increased WC had the lowest risk, while those with both increased BMI and increased WC had the highest risk of proteinuria (OR, 1.61; 95% CI, 1.21-2.13). Notably, participants with only increased WC also had significantly increased risk of proteinuria (OR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.04-1.85).

CONCLUSION

In Chinese hypertensive patients, increased BMI and increased WC were individually and jointly associated with a higher risk of new-onset proteinuria, underscoring the value of monitoring both BMI and WC in assessing proteinuria risk.

Independent association between the visceral adiposity index and microalbuminuria in patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes

AIMS

Visceral adiposity and albuminuria are commonly observed in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Recently, the visceral adipose index (VAI) was found to be an indicator of visceral fat accumulation. However, the relationship between the VAI and urinary albumin has not been investigated in T2DM patients, and whether the predictive value of the VAI is superior to that of the triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TG/HDL-c) ratio remains unknown.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Three hundred and forty one newly diagnosed T2DM patients were enrolled. The anthropometric parameters, blood pressure, glucose, lipid profiles, urinary albumin, and other biochemical indices were examined. Linear and logistic regression models were developed to assess the association between the VAI and urinary albumin.

RESULTS

The prevalence of microalbuminuria was 41.3% (n = 141) and increased with increasing levels of VAI. An age-adjusted partial correlation analysis showed that the VAI and TG/HDL-c ratio were significantly associated with the waist-to-hip ratio, heart rate, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and uric acid. In the stepwise linear regression analysis, the VAI (β = .21, .009) and TG/HDL-c (β = .25, .002) were significant determinants of urinary albumin. Moreover, in the multiple logistic regression model, the odds ratio (OR) of microalbuminuria per one SD increase in the VAI was 1.94 (95% CI, 1.11-3.38), and a similar result was observed with a higher TG/HDL-c ratio (OR = 2.03, 95% CI, 1.13-3.65).

CONCLUSION

We are the first to show a clear association between the VAI and urinary albumin in Chinese type 2 diabetic patients. Additionally, the VAI and TG/HDL-c ratio had similar predictive power regarding albuminuria risk. The VAI could be a rapid and reliable tool for assessing early-stage renal damage in newly diagnosed T2DM patients.

Oxidative Imbalance and Kidney Damage: New Study Perspectives from Animal Models to Hospitalized Patients

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major public health problem worldwide and affects both elderly and young subjects. Its main consequences include the loss of renal function, leading to end-stage renal disease, an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, a significant increase in morbidity and mortality, and a decrease in health-related quality of life. This review arose in significant part from work in the authors' laboratory, complemented by literature data, and was based on a translational approach: we studied the role of many CKD risk factors, such as hypertension, obesity, and oxidative stress/inflammation. The aim was to identify new molecular mechanisms of kidney damage to prevent it through successful behavior modifications. For this purpose, in our studies, both human and animal models were used. In the animal models, we analyzed the mechanisms of renal damage induced by hypertension (spontaneously hypertensive rats) and obesity (cafeteria diet-fed rats), showing that redox disequilibrium in plasma and tissue is extremely important in renal alteration in terms of both oxidative damage (lipid peroxidation, altered expression antioxidant enzymes) and apoptotic pathway (intrinsic/extrinsic) activation. In hemodialysis patients, we explored the correlation between the global oxidative balance and both inflammatory markers and cardiovascular risk, showing a strong correlation between the oxidative index and the blood levels of C-reactive protein and previous cardiovascular events. This multilevel approach allowed us to individually and synergistically analyze some aspects of the complex pathogenic mechanisms of CKD in order to clarify the role of the new amplified risk factors for CKD and to prepare an effective personalized prevention plan by acting on both modifiable and nonmodifiable risk factors.

The Separate Contributions of Visceral Fat and Liver Fat to Chronic Kidney Disease-Related Renal Outcomes

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to investigate the separate contributions of liver fat and visceral fat on microalbuminuria and impaired renal function, and second, to examine whether non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is causally related to microalbuminuria and/or impaired renal function.

METHODS

Associations between visceral adipose tissue (VAT), hepatic triglyceride content (HTGC), and risk of microalbuminuria and renal function were studied cross-sectionally in the Netherlands Epidemiology of Obesity study. Mendelian randomization using GWAS meta-analysis data was performed to estimate the causal effect of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (PNPLA3, LYPLAL1, NCAN, GCKR) on eGFR (N_max 118,460), microalbuminuria (N_max 54,116), and impaired renal function (N_max 118,147).

RESULTS

In total, 2,023 participants (mean age 55.5 ± 6.0 years, 53% women) were included of which 29% had fatty liver and 2.0% chronic kidney disease stage ≥3. In joint models, VAT was associated with a 2-fold increased risk of microalbuminuria which was mainly driven by the association in women (total population: per standard deviation [SD] = 55.4 cm², odds ratio [OR] 2.02, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.18-3.47; women: OR 2.83, 95% CI 1.44, 5.56), but HTGC was not (total population: per SD = 7.9%, OR 1.20, 95% CI 0.85, 1.70). No associations were found for VAT and HTGC with eGFR (VAT: per SD = 55.4 cm², OR 1.25, 95% CI 0.83, 1.87; HTGC: per SD = 7.9%, OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.42, 0.99). No causal effect of NAFLD on microalbuminuria or impaired renal function was found.

CONCLUSIONS

In observational analyses, visceral fat was associated with microalbuminuria in women. Liver fat was not associated with microalbuminuria or renal function, which was supported by Mendelian randomization. Visceral fat might be more important than liver fat in the etiology of microalbuminuria.

Serum osteocalcin level as an indicator of low-grade albuminuria in Chinese men free of kidney disease

OBJECTIVE

The presence of low-grade albuminuria (LGA) suggested that the pathophysiology of vascular dysfunction has been initiated. Clear evidence supports a role for osteocalcin in energy metabolism and a great incidence of pathological cardiovascular changes. The observational community-based study aims to examine the association of osteocalcin with LGA, which may provide new insight into potential involvement of osteocalcin in cardiovascular diseases.

METHODS

A total of 1951 adults [58.37 (53.34-63.13) years, 41.3% men] from Shanghai were enrolled. LGA was defined as a urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) < 30 mg/g. Serum osteocalcin was measured using an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay.

RESULTS

Serum osteocalcin level in men decreased with increasing UACR after adjusting for potential covariates (p = 0.045); however, the adjusted association disappeared in women (p = 0.258). Linear regression analysis showed that osteocalcin was a negative variable of UACR in men (standardized β = -0.074, p = 0.030), particularly prominent in non-hyperglycemic, non-hypertensive men, even regardless of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (60 ≤ eGFR <90 mL/min/1.73 m², standardized β =-0.422, p = 0.004; ≥ 90 mL/min/1.73 m², standardized β = -0.167, p = 0.037).

CONCLUSION

After controlling for confounders, serum osteocalcin level was independently associated with LGA in men, which suggested that osteocalcin was closely related with atherosclerosis and vascular dysfunction.

Oxidative Imbalance and Kidney Damage in Cafeteria Diet-Induced Rat Model of Metabolic Syndrome: Effect of Bergamot Polyphenolic Fraction

Obesity is a potent risk factor for kidney disease as it increases the possibility of developing diabetes and hypertension, and it has a direct impact on the development of chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal disease. In this study, we tested the effect of bergamot polyphenolic fraction in a cafeteria with diet-fed rats, an excellent experimental model for studying human metabolic syndrome, as it is able to induce severe obesity with insulin resistance and high plasma triglyceride levels more efficiently than a traditional lard-based high-fat diet used in rodent models. We analyzed the plasmatic oxidative balance by photometric tests, and the expression of cytoplasmic antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase 1 and glutatione S-tranferasi P1) and apoptotic markers (Caspase 8 and 9) in kidney tissues by Western blot analysis. Our results clearly showed that the cafeteria diet induces a marked pro-oxidant effect: significant reduction of plasmatic antioxidant capacity; downregulation of cytoplasmic antioxidant enzymes expression; and activation of apoptotic pathways. All these hallmarks of redox disequilibrium were mitigated by treatment with polyphenolic fraction of bergamot, highlighting its antioxidant effect in the metabolic syndrome. Our data show that the link between obesity and renal damage could be represented by oxidative stress.

Obesity and kidney disease: Hidden consequences of the epidemic

Obesity has become a worldwide epidemic, and its prevalence has been projected to grow by 40% in the next decade. This increasing prevalence has implications for the risks of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and also for Chronic Kidney Disease. A high body mass index is one of the strongest risk factors for new-onset Chronic Kidney Disease. In individuals affected by obesity, a series of complex pathophysiologic changes occur that lead to the development of Chronic Kidney Disease. These include on the one hand effects mediated by the downstream consequences of obesity (such as diabetes mellitus and hypertension), but also direct effects of adipose tissue, via humoral factors such as leptin, adiponectin, resistin and visfatin). In obese individuals a compensatory hyperfiltration occurs to meet the heightened metabolic demands of the increased body weight, leading to glomerulomegaly and accompanied by deposition of adipose tissue in the glomerulus and the gradual development of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. The incidence of obesity-related glomerulopathy has increased ten-fold in recent years. In addition to the development of Chronic Kidney Disease, obesity has also been shown to be a risk factor for nephrolithiasis, and for a number of malignancies including kidney cancer. Interventions to stem the tide of obesity are thus extremely important for preventing the development and progression of Chronic Kidney Disease and other disorders of the kidneys. This year the World Kidney Day promotes education on the harmful consequences of obesity and its association with kidney disease, advocating healthy lifestyle and health policy measures that makes preventive behaviors an affordable option.

An observational study on the association between major dietary patterns and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in Chinese adolescents

Data on the association of dietary patterns with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) among adolescents are scarce. Hence, the purpose of this study was to ascertain the influence of dietary patterns and key foods on NAFLD among adolescents in Shandong, China. Data were extracted from Linyi Nutrition and Health study during 2015 to 2016. This cross-sectional study population comprised 1639 participants aged between 16 and 23 years. Dietary intake was assessed by the use of a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), containing 85 food items. NAFLD diagnosis was defined as individuals whose ultrasound examination disclosed hepatic steatosis at any stage, in the absence of excess intake of alcoholic beverages. The odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were estimated for each quartile of the dietary pattern adherence scores using logistic regression analysis. Of 1639 participants, 221 (13.5%) were classified as having NAFLD. Three major dietary patterns were derived from factor analysis: traditional Chinese, Western, and high-energy dietary patterns. There were significant differences in the intake of whole grains, tuber, and vegetable across quartiles of the traditional Chinese and Western pattern (P < .05). Besides, compared with adolescents in the lowest quartile, those in the highest quartile for whole grains intake had a lower OR for NAFLD (OR = 0.72; 95%CI: 0.61-0.98; P < .05), and for red meat and soft drink consumption had greater OR for NAFLD (OR = 1.34; 95% CI: 1.06-1.72; OR = 1.69; 95% CI: 1.34-2.56; respectively, P < .05). After adjustment for several potential confounders, participants in the highest quartile of the traditional Chinese pattern scores had lower OR for NAFLD (OR = 0.726; 95% CI: 0.383-0.960, P < .05) than did those in the lowest quartile, whereas those in the highest quartile of the Western pattern score had greater OR for NAFLD (OR = 1.197; 95% CI: 1.013-1.736, P < .01) than did those in the lowest quartile. No statistically significant association was found between the high-energy pattern and the risk of NAFLD.Our findings demonstrated that the traditional Chinese dietary pattern was associated with a lower risk, whereas the Western dietary pattern was associated with a higher risk of NAFLD.

Visceral and subcutaneous abdominal adiposity and pulmonary function in 30-year-old adults: a cross-sectional analysis nested in a birth cohort

BACKGROUND

Several studies have verified body fat distribution in association with pulmonary function (PF), mainly waist circumference, but few have used measures able to distinguish abdominal fat compartments. The present study aims to verify the association of visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) with PF measures.

METHODS

In 1982, all hospital births occurring in Pelotas, Brazil, were identified and those livebirths have been followed. In 2012-13, the cohort participants were evaluated and VAT and SAT measured using ultrasound; forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV₁) or forced vital capacity (FVC) were patronized in z-scores stratified by sex. The associations were verified using crude and adjusted linear regressions.

RESULTS

The present analyses comprised 3438 individuals (1721 women). VAT was inversely associated with spirometric parameters, in both crude and adjusted models. SAT showed inverse associations in the crude analyzes in males and a positive trend after adjustment, except for SAT and FVC in males. To each centimeter of VAT, mean adjusted FEV₁ z-scores decreased 0.072 (95% CI -0.107; -0.036) in men and 0.127 (95% CI -0.164; -0.090) in women, and FVC z-scores decreased -0.075 (95% CI -0.111; -0.039) and 0.121 (95% CI -0.158; -0.083), in men and women, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

VAT has a consistent inverse association with FEV₁ and FVC in both sexes. On the other hand, SAT showed inconsistent results with PF parameters.

The Relationship between Hypertriglyceridemic Waist Phenotype and Early Diabetic Nephropathy in Type 2 Diabetes

Background/Aims

The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between hypertriglyceridemic waist (HW) phenotype and early diabetic nephropathy in type 2 diabetes.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted on 538 type 2 diabetes patients in Qinhuangdao. The HW phenotype was defined as serum triglyceride concentrations ≥1.7 mmol/L and waist circumference ≥90 cm (males) and ≥85 cm (females).

Results

The prevalence of the HW phenotype was 34.9%. The prevalence of early diabetic nephropathy was 10.6% in type 2 diabetes patients with normal waist circumference and triglycerides and 24.5% in type 2 diabetes patients with HW phenotype. After adjustment for sex, age, body mass index, hypertension, history of diabetes, and glycosylated hemoglobin A1c, the prevalence of early diabetic nephropathy among type 2 diabetes patients with the HW phenotype was 2.81 (95% confidence interval 1.36-5.80, p = 0.005) times higher than that among type 2 diabetes patients with normal waist circumference and triglycerides.

Conclusion

There was a significant correlation between HW phenotype and early diabetic nephropathy in type 2 diabetes.

Obesity and kidney disease: Hidden consequences of the epidemic

Obesity has become a worldwide epidemic, and its prevalence has been projected to grow by 40% in the next decade. This increasing prevalence has implications for the risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and also for chronic kidney disease (CKD). A high body mass index is one of the strongest risk factors for new-onset CKD. In individuals affected by obesity, a compensatory hyperfiltration occurs to meet the heightened metabolic demands of the increased body weight. The increase in intraglomerular pressure can damage the kidneys and raise the risk of developing CKD in the long-term. The incidence of obesity-related glomerulopathy has increased tenfold in recent years. Obesity has also been shown to be a risk factor for nephrolithiasis, and for a number of malignancies including kidney cancer. This year the World Kidney Day promotes education on the harmful consequences of obesity and its association with kidney disease, advocating healthy lifestyle, and health policy measures that makes preventive behaviors an affordable option.

Protective effect of rosiglitazone on kidney function in high-fat challenged human-CRP transgenic mice: a possible role for adiponectin and miR-21?

Obesity-related albuminuria is associated with decline of kidney function and is considered a first sign of diabetic nephropathy. Suggested factors linking obesity to kidney dysfunction include low-grade inflammation, insulin resistance and adipokine dysregulation. Here, we investigated the effects of two pharmacological compounds with established anti-inflammatory properties, rosiglitazone and rosuvastatin, on kidney dysfunction during high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity. For this, human CRP transgenic mice were fed standard chow, a lard-based HFD, HFD+rosuvastatin or HFD+rosiglitazone for 42 weeks to study effects on insulin resistance; plasma inflammatory markers and adipokines; and renal pathology. Rosiglitazone but not rosuvastatin prevented HFD-induced albuminuria and renal fibrosis and inflammation. Also, rosiglitazone prevented HFD-induced KIM-1 expression, while levels were doubled with rosuvastatin. This was mirrored by miR-21 expression, which plays a role in fibrosis and is associated with renal dysfunction. Plasma insulin did not correlate with albuminuria. Only rosiglitazone increased circulating adiponectin concentrations. In all, HFD-induced albuminuria, and renal inflammation, injury and fibrosis is prevented by rosiglitazone but not by rosuvastatin. These beneficial effects of rosiglitazone are linked to lowered miR-21 expression but not connected with the selectively enhanced plasma adiponectin levels observed in rosiglitazone-treated animals.

Increased body mass index is a risk factor for end-stage renal disease in the Chinese Singapore population

The relationship between body mass index (BMI) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is confounded by co-morbidities associated with both conditions. Furthermore, the association at low range BMI is controversial. We studied this association in the Singapore Chinese Health Study, a population-based prospective cohort that recruited Singaporean Chinese men and women 45-74 years of age from 1993 to 1998. Self-reported weight, height, lifestyle factors, usual diet, and medical history were collected via an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Incident ESRD cases were identified via record linkage with the nationwide ESRD registry. The computed Cox proportional hazard regression was adjusted for potential risk factors. After an average follow-up of 15.5 years, 827 incident ESRD cases were identified. Compared with a normal BMI of 18.5 to under 23 kg/m², the hazard ratios and (95% confidence intervals) of ESRD risk for BMIs under 18.5, 23 to under 27.5, and 27.5 kg/m² or more were 0.54 (0.37-0.79), 1.40 (1.20-1.64) and 2.13 (1.74-2.59), respectively. This significantly trended, linear, dose-dependent association was only present among those with no history of diabetes, hypertension, coronary heart disease, and stroke at baseline, but not significantly among those with any of these co-morbidities. Thus, BMI itself is a risk factor for ESRD in the general population and this association is present in those without pre-existing diabetes, hypertension, coronary heart disease, and stroke.

Obesity and kidney disease: hidden consequences of the epidemic

Obesity has become a worldwide epidemic and its prevalence has been projected to grow by 40% in the next decade. This increasing prevalence has implications for the risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and also for chronic kidney disease (CKD). A high body mass index is one of the strongest risk factors for new-onset CKD. In individuals affected by obesity, a compensatory hyperfiltration occurs to meet the heightened metabolic demands of the increased body weight. The increase in intraglomerular pressure can damage the kidneys and raise the risk of developing CKD in the long-term. The incidence of obesity-related glomerulopathy has increased ten-fold in recent years. Obesity has also been shown to be a risk factor for nephrolithiasis, and for a number of malignancies including kidney cancer. This year, the World Kidney Day will promote education on the harmful consequences of obesity and its association with kidney disease, advocating healthy lifestyle and health policy measures that make preventive behaviors an affordable option.

Obesity and Kidney Disease: Hidden Consequences of the Epidemic

Obesity has become a worldwide epidemic, and its prevalence has been projected to grow by 40% in the next decade. This increasing prevalence has implications for the risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and also for chronic kidney disease (CKD). A high body mass index is one of the strongest risk factors for new-onset CKD. In individuals affected by obesity, a compensatory hyperfiltration occurs to meet the heightened metabolic demands of the increased body weight. The increase in intraglomerular pressure can damage the kidneys and raise the risk of developing CKD in the long term. The incidence of obesity-related glomerulopathy has increased 10-fold in recent years. Obesity has also been shown to be a risk factor for nephrolithiasis, and for a number of malignancies including kidney cancer. This year the World Kidney Day promotes education on the harmful consequences of obesity and its association with kidney disease, advocating healthy lifestyle and health policy measures that make preventive behaviors an affordable option.

Obesity and Kidney Disease: Hidden Consequences of the Epidemic

Obesity has become a worldwide epidemic, and its prevalence has been projected to grow by 40% in the next decade. This increasing prevalence has implications for the risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and also for chronic kidney disease. A high body mass index is one of the strongest risk factors for new-onset chronic kidney disease. In individuals affected by obesity, a compensatory hyperfiltration occurs to meet the heightened metabolic demands of the increased body weight. The increase in intraglomerular pressure can damage the kidneys and raise the risk of developing chronic kidney disease in the long-term. The incidence of obesity-related glomerulopathy has increased 10-fold in recent years. Obesity has also been shown to be a risk factor for nephrolithiasis, and for a number of malignancies including kidney cancer. This year, the World Kidney Day promotes education on the harmful consequences of obesity and its association with kidney disease, advocating healthy lifestyle and health policy measures that make preventive behaviors an affordable option.

Obesity and Kidney Disease: Hidden Consequences of the Epidemic

Obesity has become a worldwide epidemic, and its prevalence has been projected to grow by 40% in the next decade. This increasing prevalence has implications for the risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and also for chronic kidney disease. A high body mass index is one of the strongest risk factors for new-onset chronic kidney disease. In individuals affected by obesity, a compensatory hyperfiltration occurs to meet the heightened metabolic demands of the increased body weight. The increase in intraglomerular pressure can damage the kidneys and raise the risk of developing chronic kidney disease in the long-term. The incidence of obesity-related glomerulopathy has increased 10-fold in recent years. Obesity has also been shown to be a risk factor for nephrolithiasis, and for a number of malignancies including kidney cancer. This year, the World Kidney Day promotes education on the harmful consequences of obesity and its association with kidney disease, advocating healthy lifestyle and health policy measures that make preventive behaviors an affordable option.

Obesity and kidney disease: hidden consequences of the epidemic

Obesity has become a worldwide epidemic, and its prevalence has been projected to grow by 40% in the next decade. This increasing prevalence has implications for the risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and also for chronic kidney disease. A high BMI is one of the strongest risk factors for new-onset chronic kidney disease. In individuals affected by obesity, a compensatory hyperfiltration occurs to meet the heightened metabolic demands of the increased body weight. The increase in intraglomerular pressure can damage the kidneys and raise the risk of developing chronic kidney disease in the long-term. The incidence of obesity-related glomerulopathy has increased tenfold in recent years. Obesity has also been shown to be a risk factor for nephrolithiasis, and for a number of malignancies including kidney cancer. This year the World Kidney Day promotes education on the harmful consequences of obesity and its association with kidney disease, advocating healthy lifestyle and health policy measures that make preventive behaviors an affordable option.