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Assessment of Vascular Function in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease
Published on: June 16, 2014
Renal function in aging
1Division of Clinical Pharmacology, North Shore University Hospital, Manhasset, New York 11030.
Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
|August 1, 1989
Summary
Aging kidneys undergo structural and functional changes, impacting blood flow and filtration. Differentiating these natural aging effects from kidney damage caused by illness or toxins is challenging.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Gerontology
- Physiology
Background:
- Kidney structure and function change with age.
- Aging kidneys show decreased size, glomerular sclerosis, and altered tubules.
- Functional changes include reduced blood flow, filtration, and impaired tubular handling.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review age-related anatomic and functional kidney alterations.
- To discuss the challenges in distinguishing aging effects from nephrotoxicity.
- To highlight the role of hypertension in elderly renal insufficiency.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of age-related kidney changes.
- Analysis of anatomic and functional abnormalities.
- Discussion of endocrinologic changes and toxic exposures.
Main Results:
- Aging kidneys exhibit decreased size, glomerular sclerosis, and altered vascular flow.
- Renal blood flow and glomerular filtration rate decline with age.
- Impaired tubular function and endocrinologic changes (renin-angiotensin, vitamin D, ADH) are observed.
Conclusions:
- Differentiating aging from nephrotoxic effects is difficult due to comorbidities like hypertension and diabetes.
- Hypertension is a key factor in age-related renal insufficiency.
- Further research is needed to develop interventions for age-associated renal changes.
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