Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 25, 2026

Modeling Hypoxia/Reoxygenation Injury in Proximal Tubular Epithelial Cells
06:23

Modeling Hypoxia/Reoxygenation Injury in Proximal Tubular Epithelial Cells

Published on: November 21, 2025

635

Altered lipid metabolism in the aging kidney identified by three layered omic analysis

Fabian Braun1,2, Markus M Rinschen1,2, Valerie Bartels1,3

  • 1Department II of Internal Medicine and Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.

Aging
|February 18, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Changes in lipid metabolism are central to kidney aging and chronic kidney disease development. This study identified key enzymes and lipid alterations in aged mouse kidneys, revealing molecular mechanisms underlying age-related kidney dysfunction.

Area of Science:

  • Gerontology
  • Nephrology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Aging-associated diseases and comorbidities, particularly chronic kidney disease (CKD), are increasing in developed countries.
  • CKD is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, including stroke, myocardial infarction, and heart failure.
  • Understanding the molecular mechanisms of kidney aging is crucial for developing effective interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the molecular mechanisms involved in kidney aging.
  • To identify age-related changes in gene expression, protein levels, and lipid profiles in mouse kidneys.
  • To explore the role of lipid metabolism in kidney aging and CKD pathogenesis.

Main Methods:

  • Transcriptomic, proteomic, and targeted lipidomic analyses were performed on kidneys from adult and aged wild-type mice.
  • Differential gene expression and protein abundance were analyzed.
  • Specific lipid subspecies, including phosphatidylethanolamines, phosphatidylcholines, sphingomyelins, phosphatidylserines, and ceramides, were quantified.

Main Results:

  • Transcriptome and proteome analyses revealed significant alterations in genes and proteins related to lipid metabolism and immune response.
  • Lipidomic analyses showed age-related differences in various lipid classes, notably phosphatidylethanolamines, phosphatidylcholines, sphingomyelins, phosphatidylserines, and ceramides.
  • Aldh1a1 (a vitamin A metabolism enzyme) and Asah1 (a ceramidase) were identified as upregulated proteins in aged kidneys, correlating with changes in specific ceramide subspecies.

Conclusions:

  • Changes in lipid metabolism are significantly involved in the process of kidney aging.
  • Age-related alterations in lipid profiles and key metabolic enzymes contribute to kidney dysfunction and the development of chronic kidney disease.
  • This study provides molecular insights into the interplay between aging, lipid metabolism, and kidney health.
Keywords:
gene expression profilinglipidomicsmicroarray analysisproteomicsrenal aging

More Related Videos

Comparative Proteomic Analysis of Whole Kidney, Medulla, and Cortical Tubules in Diabetic Pathogenesis of Kidney Injury in Mice10:31

Comparative Proteomic Analysis of Whole Kidney, Medulla, and Cortical Tubules in Diabetic Pathogenesis of Kidney Injury in Mice

Published on: May 2, 2025

810
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

16.9K

Related Concept Videos

Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Metabolism01:18

Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Metabolism

Geriatric patients show significant variation in how their bodies process medications, which can change how effective and safe treatments are. The liver is the primary organ where drug metabolism occurs, involving two main types of chemical reactions: phase I and II. Phase I metabolism is driven by the cytochrome P450 enzyme system, which includes key types such as CYP3A, CYP2D6, and CYP2C9. Research indicates that while aging doesn't notably alter the levels or activity of these enzymes, it...
319
Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Excretion01:18

Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Excretion

In geriatric patients, renal physiology undergoes significant changes, including diminished renal blood flow and a lower glomerular filtration rate (GFR), leading to alterations in medication clearance. Drugs such as aminoglycoside antibiotics, lithium, and digoxin, which rely on glomerular filtration for removal from the body, particularly impact pharmacokinetics. These drugs tend to have slower clearance rates in older adults, necessitating careful dosage considerations.Evaluation of renal...
311
Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Distribution01:00

Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Distribution

Drug distribution in the human body is influenced by several factors, including plasma protein concentration, body composition, blood flow, tissue-protein concentration, and tissue fluid pH. Among these, changes in plasma protein concentration and body composition due to aging significantly affect how drugs are distributed within the body. Specifically, aging is associated with a decrease in albumin levels by about 10% and an increase in α1-acid glycoprotein levels. These alterations are...
330
Bioavailability: Influencing Factors01:22

Bioavailability: Influencing Factors

Bioavailability refers to the extent and rate at which a drug reaches systemic circulation in its active form. Extent refers to the amount of the drug that makes it into circulation, while rate is the speed at which it enters circulation. It is influenced by several factors critical for optimizing drug formulations, dosing regimens, and therapeutic outcomes.Physicochemical properties of drugs and formulationsThe solubility, stability, and dissolution rate of a drug significantly impact its...
567
Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Absorption01:22

Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Absorption

As individuals age, their body's physiology evolves, affecting drug pharmacokinetics. The most apparent changes occur in the gastrointestinal tract, where an increase in gastric pH, a delay in gastric emptying, and a reduction in gastrointestinal motility are observed. Remarkably, these changes do not substantially modify the absorption of orally administered drugs, particularly those absorbed via passive diffusion.Transdermal drug delivery emerges as a highly viable method for older adults due...
801
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...
927