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In a study reported in Clinical Science, MCW scientists, along with researchers from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, analyzed the role of epoxyeicosatrienoic acids, signaling molecules found within cells, to mitigate kidney injury and use as treatment for chronic kidney disease (CKD).
The study published in the March 2016 issue of Clinical Science and appeared on the cover page was authored by Abdul Hye Khan, PhD, instructor of pharmacology & toxicology at MCW. Other MCW co-authors include John D. Imig PhD, professor of pharmacology & toxicology at MCW; Eric P. Cohen, MD, professor of medicine in the division of nephrology; Brian Fish, program manager in the department of radiation oncology; John E. Moulder, PhD, professor and director of radiation biology; Amit Sharma, postdoctoral fellow in the department of pharmacology & toxicology; and Geneva Wahl, medical student. Other co-authors of the study were John R. Falck, PhD, and Mahesh P. Paudyal, PhD, at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.
Chronic kidney disease is a condition in which the kidneys become damaged and lose the ability to sufficiently filter blood from the body. The waste from the blood builds in the body of those with a CKD, causing significant health issues. According to the Centers for Disease Control, one of 10 adults have a CKD. An important CKD is focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), the leading cause of kidney failure in adults. FSGS is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Current treatments for FSGS are often ineffective and only slow the loss of kidney function.
To investigate potential treatments for FSGS, the researchers of the study focused on the role of epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EET). EET’s are signaling molecules formed within cells that have the ability to inhibit the kidney’s retention of salts and water and control anti-inflammatory effects on blood vessels. During the study, the researchers isolated the effects of EET’s on the kidney, elucidating an understanding of its role in mitigating kidney injury for those affected with FSGS. In the future, the researchers hope to use the findings to develop therapies for FSGS and other CKD’s.
