Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is incredibly common, affecting 1 in 7 Americans, and heart disease is a common cause of death for those with CKD. In this week's article we explore the role inflammation plays in chronic kidney disease and how the same inflammation that damages the kidneys may also lead to damage in other parts of the body, including the heart. We also review why inflammation is beneficial in low amounts and what's being done to help lower chronic inflammation without compromising this vital immune response.
References:
Kadatane, S. P., Satariano, M., Massey, M., Mongan, K., & Raina, R. (2023). The role of inflammation in CKD. Cells, 12(12), 1581. https://doi.org/10.3390/cells12121581
Kovesdy, C. P. (2022). Epidemiology of chronic kidney disease: an update 2022. Kidney international supplements, 12(1), 7-11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.kisu.2021.11.003
Kalantar-Zadeh, K., Jafar, T. H., Nitsch, D., Neuen, B. L., & Perkovic, V. (2021). Chronic kidney disease. The lancet, 398(10302), 786-802. https://www.thelancet.com/article/S0140-6736(21)00519-5/abstract
Bajaj, A., Xie, D., Cedillo-Couvert, E., Charleston, J., Chen, J., Deo, R., ... & Townsend, R. R. (2019). Lipids, apolipoproteins, and risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in persons with CKD. American journal of kidney diseases, 73(6), 827-836. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.ajkd.2018.11.010
Speer, T., Dimmeler, S., Schunk, S. J., Fliser, D., & Ridker, P. M. (2022). Targeting innate immunity-driven inflammation in CKD and cardiovascular disease. Nature Reviews Nephrology, 18(12), 762-778. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41581-022-00621-9
Zoccalli C and Mallamaci F. Innate Immunity System in Patients With Cardiovascular and Kidney Disease. Circ Res. 2023, 132(8):915-932. https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/full/10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.122.321749
Mazhar, F., Fu, E. L., Faucon, A. L., Hjemdahl, P., Mathisen, J., Muhammad, I. F., ... & Carrero, J. J. (2025). Systemic inflammation and the risks of adverse kidney outcomes in adults with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. American Journal of Kidney Diseases. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.ajkd.2025.04.011
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