Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 31, 2026

Intravascular Delivery of Biologics to the Rat Kidney
07:29

Intravascular Delivery of Biologics to the Rat Kidney

Published on: September 1, 2016

Novel inflammatory mechanisms of accelerated atherosclerosis in kidney disease

Sundararaman Swaminathan1, Sudhir V Shah

  • 1Division of Nephrology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and Central Arkansas Veteran Affairs Health System, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205, USA. sswaminathan@uams.edu

Kidney International
|June 24, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Kidney disease, including acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD), significantly increases cardiovascular disease risk. Novel factors may drive accelerated atherosclerosis through immune-inflammatory pathways, impacting kidney health and heart disease.

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Cardiology
  • Immunology
  • Atherosclerosis Research

Background:

  • Growing evidence links kidney diseases (acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease, end-stage renal disease) with a higher incidence of cardiovascular disease.
  • The interplay between kidney function, immune responses, and cardiovascular health is increasingly recognized as a critical area of research.
  • Accelerated atherosclerosis is a major complication in patients with kidney disease.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review novel risk factors associated with decreased kidney function.
  • To explore the role of the immune-inflammatory system in accelerated atherosclerosis within the context of kidney disease.
  • To present the Immune inflammation-Renal injury-Atherosclerosis (IRA) Paradigm.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of existing evidence on kidney disease and cardiovascular disease.
  • Analysis of novel risk factors contributing to atherosclerosis in renal impairment.
  • Discussion of the immune-inflammatory mechanisms underlying the IRA Paradigm.

Main Results:

  • Novel risk factors associated with reduced kidney function are identified.
  • The immune-inflammatory system plays a significant role in the accelerated development of atherosclerosis in kidney disease patients.
  • The IRA Paradigm provides a framework for understanding this complex relationship.

Conclusions:

  • Kidney disease is strongly associated with increased cardiovascular disease risk.
  • Immune-inflammatory pathways are central to accelerated atherogenesis in patients with renal impairment.
  • Further research into the IRA Paradigm may reveal new therapeutic targets for cardiovascular protection in kidney disease.

More Related Videos

Assessment of Vascular Function in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease08:50

Assessment of Vascular Function in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease

Published on: June 16, 2014

Related Concept Videos

Diabetic Nephropathy01:28

Diabetic 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...
Atherosclerosis I: Introduction01:30

Atherosclerosis I: Introduction

Atherosclerosis is a progressive disorder characterized by the buildup of plaques on the arterial inner wall, causing them to narrow and harden over time. These plaques comprise lipids, calcium, blood components, carbohydrates, and fibrous tissue. The process primarily affects the intima of large and medium-sized arteries, reducing blood flow in any artery.Etiology and risk factorsThe cause of atherosclerosis is multifactorial, involving a complex interplay among endothelial injury, lipid...
Acute Kidney Injury II: Pathophysiology01:29

Acute Kidney Injury II: Pathophysiology

Acute kidney injury (AKI) causes are categorized into three primary categories based on the location of the injury: prerenal, intrarenal (or intrinsic), and postrenal causes. This classification guides clinical management and illustrates how different pathways can impair kidney function.Etiology and Pathophysiology of Acute Kidney Injury1. Prerenal causesEtiology: Prerenal Acute Kidney Injury, the most common type, occurs when reduced blood flow to the kidneys decreases filtration capacity...
Chronic Kidney Disease I: Introduction01:25

Chronic Kidney Disease I: Introduction

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) arises when the kidneys progressively lose their ability to function, ultimately leading to end-stage renal disease. At this advanced stage, the kidneys can no longer filter waste or maintain essential body functions, requiring renal replacement therapy (RRT) through dialysis or a kidney transplant for survival.Early-stage chronic kidney disease and detection challengesIn CKD's early stages, symptoms often remain absent because healthy nephrons compensate for...
Coronary Artery Disease II: Pathophysiology01:26

Coronary Artery Disease II: Pathophysiology

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) originates from a series of events that impair the function of coronary arteries, the blood vessels responsible for delivering oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle. The pathophysiology of CAD is closely linked to atherosclerosis, a chronic inflammatory and lipid-driven condition affecting the vascular endothelium.1. Endothelial DamageThe process begins with damage to the vascular endothelium, which serves as a protective barrier between the blood and the vessel...
Chronic Kidney Disease II: Clinical Manifestations01:24

Chronic Kidney Disease II: Clinical Manifestations

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) progressively impairs multiple body systems due to the accumulation of uremic toxins, which disrupt cellular functions across various organs.Neurologic symptomsNeurologic symptoms often arise early in CKD, as uremic toxin buildup drives changes in cognitive and motor functions. Patients frequently experience fatigue, headache, confusion, difficulty concentrating, and, in severe cases, seizures. Peripheral neuropathy commonly manifests as burning sensations in the...