This discovery could help medical professionals in the early identification of at-risk individuals, as well as in developing new approaches to treating heart failure in such patients.
“Kidney and heart diseases often develop without obvious symptoms, and they are often diagnosed only when there is already serious damage. Our results may help in the earlier identification of patients at risk of heart failure, which will provide an opportunity to start treatment on time and improve prognosis,” noted Uta Erdbrügger, a therapist and researcher from the nephrology department of the University of Virginia School of Medicine.
According to the National Institutes of Health, chronic kidney disease affects more than one in seven Americans, which amounts to about 35 million people. The disease is observed in about one in three diabetics and one in five people with hypertension.
The existing link between chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular diseases is well documented, and the severity of cardiovascular diseases is directly related to kidney condition. However, until recently, scientists found it difficult to determine the specific causes of this relationship due to the influence of common risk factors such as obesity and hypertension.
The new study identified a specific risk factor that causes toxic effects on the heart: the so-called “circulating extracellular vesicles,” which are formed in the affected kidneys.
These vesicles, produced by most cells and playing a role in transporting proteins and other substances, carry microRNA—small non-coding molecules that exert toxic effects on the heart muscle in the case of chronic kidney disease.
In experiments on laboratory mice, it was found that blocking the circulation of these extracellular vesicles significantly improves heart function and alleviates heart failure. Plasma samples from both CKD patients and healthy individuals were also analyzed, confirming the presence of harmful vesicles in kidney disease patients.
“Doctors have always been interested in the interaction between organs, such as the kidneys and the heart. We have demonstrated that extracellular vesicles from the kidneys can reach the heart and exert toxic effects,” Erdbrügger reported. “This is just the beginning of our understanding of this interaction.”
The results of the study open up possibilities for developing a blood test that will help identify patients with chronic kidney disease at high risk of serious heart problems. There is also the potential to target circulating extracellular vesicles to prevent their toxic effects on the heart.
“Our goal is to create new biomarkers and therapeutic approaches for patients with kidney diseases who are at risk of cardiovascular diseases,” the researcher added. “Our work could significantly improve personalized treatment for patients with CKD and heart failure so that everyone receives the necessary therapy.”
