Stroke and Distal Organ Damage: Exploring Brain-Kidney Crosstalk

Stroke and kidney dysfunction represent significant public health challenges, yet the precise mechanisms connecting these conditions and their severe consequences remain unclear. Individuals experiencing chronic kidney disease (CKD) and acute kidney injury (AKI) are at heightened susceptibility to experiencing repeated strokes. Similarly, a reduced glomerular filtration rate is associated with an elevated risk of suffering a stroke. Prior strokes independently contribute to mortality, end-stage kidney disease, and cardiovascular complications, underscoring the pathological connection between the brain and the kidneys. In cases of AKI, various mechanisms, such as cytokine signaling, leukocyte infiltration, and oxidative stress, establish communication between the brain and the kidneys. The bidirectional relationship between stroke and kidney pathologies involves key factors such as uremic toxins, proteinuria, inflammatory responses, decreased glomerular filtration, impairment of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), oxidative stress, and metabolites produced by the gut microbiota. This review examines potential mechanisms of brain-kidney crosstalk underlying stroke and kidney diseases. It holds significance for comprehending multi-organ dysfunction associated with stroke and for formulating therapeutic strategies to address stroke-induced kidney dysfunction and the bidirectional pathological connection between the kidney and stroke.