Relation between waist circumference and the renal hemodynamic in healthy individuals

Agnes Bosch1, Dennis Kannenkeril1, Christian Ott2

  • 1Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Germany.

Insights

Higher waist circumference (WC) in healthy individuals is linked to reduced kidney function, including lower glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and renal plasma flow (RPF). This may be due to increased renal vascular resistance (RVR).

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Metabolic Health
  • Cardiovascular Physiology

Background:

  • Obesity is a known risk factor for chronic kidney disease (CKD).
  • The specific impact of visceral fat, estimated by waist circumference (WC), on renal hemodynamics in healthy individuals is not well understood.
  • Investigating the interplay between visceral fat, metabolic factors, and kidney function is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the relationship between waist circumference (WC) and renal hemodynamic profiles in healthy, non-obese individuals.
  • To determine if increased visceral fat mass affects glomerular filtration rate (GFR), renal plasma flow (RPF), and intra-renal pressures.
  • To explore the role of metabolic factors like leptin and HOMA-IR in this association.

Main Methods:

  • Post-hoc analysis of 80 healthy participants from a randomized clinical trial.
  • Division of participants into high WC and low WC groups based on median WC.
  • Assessment of renal hemodynamic profiles using steady-state input clearance (para-aminohippuric acid and inulin infusion).
  • Calculation of intraglomerular pressure (IGP) and arteriolar resistances (RA, RE) using the Gomez equation.

Main Results:

  • The high WC group exhibited significantly lower GFR, RPF, and IGP compared to the low WC group.
  • Individuals with high WC showed increased renal vascular resistance (RVR), afferent arteriolar resistance (RA), and efferent arteriolar resistance (RE).
  • Higher leptin levels and HOMA-IR were observed in the high WC group.

Conclusions:

  • Increased WC in healthy young individuals is associated with impaired renal hemodynamics.
  • Reduced GFR and RPF in individuals with higher WC may be mediated by increased renal vascular resistance.
  • Visceral fat accumulation, even in non-obese individuals, can negatively impact kidney function.
Abstract

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