Increased Lymphatic Vessels: A Risk Factor for Severe Renal Function Loss in Obstructive Nephropathy Patients

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Renal Pathology
• Vascular Biology

Background:

• Obstructive nephropathy (ON) is a major cause of acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD).
• Increased lymphatic vessel (LV) density is observed in various kidney diseases, but its role in ON is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between lymphatic vessel density and renal function decline in patients with obstructive nephropathy.
• To identify risk factors for severe renal impairment in ON and explore the predictive value of LV density.

Main Methods:

• Renal biopsy tissues from 239 ON patients (Jan 2020-Dec 2023) were analyzed for LV density and histology.
• Patients were stratified by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR < 90 vs. eGFR ≥ 90).
• Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to assess associations.

Main Results:

• Lymphatic vessel density was elevated in ON patients, particularly those with severe renal impairment.
• Independent risk factors for renal function decline included age, ureteral calculi (UC), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and uric acid (UA).
• LV density proved to be a robust predictor of severe renal impairment in ON.

Conclusions:

• Elevated lymphatic vessel density is a significant finding in obstructive nephropathy.
• LV density is an independent risk factor associated with declining renal function in ON patients.