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Updated: Oct 22, 2025

Assessment of Vascular Function in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease
Published on: June 16, 2014
Impact of Physical Activity and Natural Bioactive Compounds on Endothelial Dysfunction in Chronic Kidney Disease
Elisa Grazioli1, Annalisa Romani2, Giulia Marrone3
1Department of Exercise, Human and Health Sciences, Foro Italico University of Rome, 00135 Rome, Italy.
Insights
Physical activity and natural compounds may improve endothelial dysfunction (ED) in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. This review evaluates their effectiveness in managing ED and reducing cardiovascular risks in CKD.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Exercise Physiology
Background:
- Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global health issue linked to increased cardiovascular (CV) mortality.
- Endothelial dysfunction (ED), inflammation, and vascular calcifications are key features of CKD.
- CKD pathogenesis involves traditional risk factors and factors like oxidative stress and low-grade inflammation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the effectiveness of physical exercise and natural bioactive compounds (NBCs) in managing ED in CKD patients.
- To explore the potential of NBCs, including those from extra virgin olive oil, and physical activity as adjuvant therapies for ED in CKD.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on physical activity interventions in CKD patients.
- Analysis of research on natural bioactive compounds (NBCs) and their impact on ED.
- Evaluation of combined effects of physical exercise and NBCs on endothelial function in CKD.
Main Results:
- Limited data suggest physical activity may positively impact ED in CKD.
- Certain NBCs, like hydroxytyrosol, tyrosol, oleocanthal, polyphenols, and vitamin D, show promise in improving ED.
- Further research is needed to confirm the efficacy of these interventions.
Conclusions:
- Physical activity and specific NBCs represent potential therapeutic strategies for ED in CKD patients.
- These interventions may help mitigate cardiovascular risks associated with CKD.
- Targeted interventions could improve endothelial health and patient outcomes in CKD.
Abstract:
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) represents a world-wide public health problem. Inflammation, endothelial dysfunction (ED) and vascular calcifications are clinical features of CKD patients that increase cardiovascular (CV) mortality. CKD-related CV disease pathogenic mechanisms are not only associated with traditional factors such as arterial hypertension and dyslipidemia, but also with ED, oxidative stress and low-grade inflammation. The typical comorbidities of CKD contribute to reduce the performance and the levels of the physical activity in nephropathic patients compared to healthy subjects. Currently, the effective role of physical activity on ED is still debated, but the available few literature data suggest its positive contribution. Another possible adjuvant treatment of ED in CKD patients is represented by natural bioactive compounds (NBCs). Among these, minor polar compounds of extra virgin olive oil (hydroxytyrosol, tyrosol and oleocanthal), polyphenols, and vitamin D seem to exert a beneficial role on ED in CKD patients. The objective of the review is to evaluate the effectiveness of physical exercise protocols and/or NBCs on ED in CKD patients.
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