Research: The Effects of Fatty Acid Oxidation on Chronic Kidney Disease
Abstract:
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) affects 1 in 7 people who are older than 65 and can significantly shorten life span. CKD means that your kidneys are damaged and can’t filter blood the way they should. CKD is more common in women than men. About 2 in 5 adults with severe CKD do not know that they have it. As if right now, there is no current treatment for CKD except transplant or dialysis. Recent studies have shown a new therapeutic strategy that might slow down the process of CKD. The strategy’s source is known as fatty acid oxidation (FAO). A team of scientists found that the tubular epithelial cells preferentially use FAO as their energy source in normal conditions. By restoring fatty acid metabolism in tubular epithelial cells using genetic techniques that boosted the activity of fatty acid metabolism. They found a lower activity in genes that support fatty acid metabolism.By restoring FAO, all the signs of fibrosis receded. A gene ontology analysis took samples from individuals with CKD. The analysis highlighted specific changes in fatty acid metabolism, beta- oxidation, amino acid metabolism, and carbohydrate metabolism. PPARA and PPARGC1A which are nuclear receptor proteins, immunostaining in control kidney samples and kidney samples from individuals with CKD. Levels of key regulators utilization were lower in CKD samples compared to control samples. Future results are obvious. There might be something created which will be similar to Fenofibrate, or something that will boost enzymes specifically related to fatty acid metabolism. Eventually, this study will be tested on humans. By restoring fatty acid metabolism, all signs of fibrosis precede, which means that the process of CKD could be slowed down.
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