Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 5, 2026
07:38
Induction of Nephrotic Syndrome in Mice by Retrobulbar Injection of Doxorubicin and Prevention of Volume Retention by Sustained Release Aprotinin
Published on: May 6, 2018
Linking adiponectin to proteinuria
1Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA. ahima@mail.med.upenn.edu
The Journal of Clinical Investigation
|April 24, 2008
Summary
Obesity is linked to kidney disease. Reduced adiponectin hormone levels in obese individuals correlate with albuminuria, suggesting adiponectin as a potential therapeutic target for kidney protection.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Endocrinology
- Metabolic Syndrome
Background:
- Obesity is an independent risk factor for chronic kidney disease, beyond diabetes and hypertension.
- Albuminuria, a marker of kidney damage, is prevalent in obese populations.
- Adiponectin, an adipose-derived hormone, has potential roles in metabolic and cardiovascular health.
Discussion:
- Sharma and colleagues investigated the role of adiponectin in obesity-related albuminuria.
- Reduced adiponectin levels were observed in obese African Americans with albuminuria.
- Adiponectin deficiency in mice led to kidney damage, including oxidative stress and podocyte fusion.
Key Insights:
- Adiponectin deficiency in mice caused oxidative stress, podocyte foot process fusion, and albuminuria.
- Adiponectin treatment ameliorated these kidney abnormalities in a mouse model.
- These protective effects were mediated possibly through AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation.
Outlook:
- Adiponectin may serve as a valuable biomarker for detecting kidney disease in obese individuals.
- Targeting adiponectin could offer a novel strategy for preventing and treating obesity-associated kidney disease.
- Further research is warranted to explore adiponectin-based therapies in diverse populations.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Diabetic Nephropathy
Definition Diabetic nephropathy is a chronic kidney complication that results from prolonged hyperglycemia.Prevalence It is the most common cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) worldwide, affecting up to half of individuals with diabetes.Pathophysiology • Sustained hyperglycemia triggers multiple hemodynamic and metabolic changes in the kidney. • Early in the disease, increased renal blood flow and glomerular hyperfiltration occur due to afferent arteriolar...
01:24Nephrotic Syndrome I : Introduction
Nephrotic Syndrome is a chronic kidney disorder defined by clinical findings such as severe proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, hyperlipidemia, and edema. These symptoms result from damage to the glomeruli, the kidney’s filtering units, increasing their permeability to proteins.Definition and Meaning:Proteinuria, defined as the loss of more than 3.5 grams of protein per day in adults, is a crucial feature of nephrotic syndrome. This condition is often accompanied by edema, the accumulation of fluid...
01:26Nephrotic Syndrome II : Assessment and Medical Management
IntroductionNephrotic syndrome is a kidney disorder marked by excessive protein loss in the urine, leading to various systemic complications. This condition often results from damage to the glomeruli—the kidney's filtering units—causing proteinuria, low blood protein levels, and fluid retention. Understanding the assessment, diagnosis, and management of nephrotic syndrome is essential for effective treatment and prevention of further kidney damage.AssessmentPatient History: Document any history...
01:45Endocrine Signaling
Endocrine cells produce hormones to communicate with remote target cells found in other organs. The hormone reaches these distant areas using the circulatory system. This exposes the whole organism to the hormone but only those cells expressing hormone receptors or target cells are affected. Thus, endocrine signaling induces slow responses from its target cells but these effects also last longer.
01:21External Anatomy of the Kidney
The kidneys are a pair of bean-shaped organs in the human body that play a critical role in maintaining overall health. They filter out waste products from the blood, regulate blood pressure, maintain electrolyte balance, and stimulate the production of red blood cells.
The kidneys are located in the retroperitoneal space on either side of the vertebral column, protected posteriorly by the 11th and 12th ribs. The right kidney sits slightly lower than the left owing to the presence of the liver...
The kidneys are located in the retroperitoneal space on either side of the vertebral column, protected posteriorly by the 11th and 12th ribs. The right kidney sits slightly lower than the left owing to the presence of the liver...
01:25cAMP-dependent Protein Kinase Pathways
Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate (cAMP) is an essential second messenger that activates protein kinase A (PKA) and regulates various biological processes. A single epinephrine molecule binds to GPCR and activates several heterotrimeric G proteins, each stimulating multiple adenylyl cyclase, amplifying the signal, and synthesizing large numbers of cAMP molecules. Small changes in cAMP concentration affect PKA activity. The binding of four cAMP molecules induces a conformational change in PKA,...