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Updated: Nov 23, 2025

A Large Animal Model for Acute Kidney Injury by Temporary Bilateral Renal Artery Occlusion
Published on: February 2, 2021
Acute kidney injury due to COVID-19 and the circadian rhythm
Merve Mercan1, Ahmet Özer Şehirli2, Ugochukwu Chukwunyere1
1Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Near East University, Nicosia, Cyprus.
Abstract:
The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) affects several organs including the kidneys. When examining patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) due to COVID-19, it is important to consider the circadian rhythm because in addition to its biological clock function, disruption of the circadian rhythm has been reported to be associated with the pathogenesis of several disorders, including AKI. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), an important component of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), displays circadian rhythmicity. Studies have shown that over-expression of human ACE2 increases the replication of SARS-CoV-2, which may lead to disruptions and tissue damage due to the suppression of the brain and muscle ARNT-like protein-1(Bmal1) gene and high pro-inflammatory cytokines expressions in the tissues. Therefore, understanding and regulating the circadian rhythm and expression pattern of the key components of RAAS can prevent or reduce the severity of acute kidney injury that may occur with COVID-19 infection.
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