Association between embryonic undernutrition and progression of chronic kidney disease via mitochondrial function.

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K16919
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 52050:Embryonic medicine and pediatrics-related
• Research Institution: University of Yamanashi
• Principal Investigator: Goto Miwa 山梨大学, 大学院総合研究部, 特任助教 (70327576)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 慢性腎臓病 / 低出生体重児

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The purpose of this study was to determine whether renal tissue oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction are involved in chronic kidney disease in preterm and low birth weight infants. Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15), which is produced in tissues by oxidative stress, was measured. Results showed that serum GDF15 was significantly higher in the low birth weight group, and very high levels of urinary GDF15 were observed in some low birth weight infants. Furthermore, serum GDF15 was elevated in low-birthweight infants in correlation with urinary GDF15. These results suggest that in some cases of low birth weight infants, oxidative stress is present in the renal tissue, resulting in elevated serum GDF15.

Free Research Field

腎臓内科

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

早産・低出生体重児は、成長に伴う臓器機能不全のリスクが高いことが報告されている。慢性腎不全もそのひとつであるが、長期予後マーカーがないことや治療方法が確立されていないなどの解決すべき問題がある。GDF15は近年、成人で腎予後マーカーとして注目され、慢性腎臓病の治療ターゲットとなる可能性が指摘されている。本研究では、学童期以降の早産・低出生体重児で血清GDF15の上昇があること、尿中GDF15が著しく高値となる症例が存在することを明らかにした。本研究の成果は、早産・低出生体重児の慢性腎臓病の新たな腎予後マーカーの確立や新規治療法の開発につながることが期待される。