Strategies for delaying aging and age-related diseases focusing on autophagy suppressor Rubicon in the kidney

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K17248
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 53040:Nephrology-related
• Research Institution: Osaka University
• Principal Investigator: Nakamura Jun 大阪大学, 医学部附属病院, 医員 (10846679)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: Rubicon / オートファジー / 高リン / 腎毒性 / 老化 / サルコペニア

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study focused on sarcopenia as a potential mechanism underlying accelerated aging induced by hyperphosphatemia. Various experimental models were used, including different durations of high phosphate intake and the presence of unilateral nephrectomy. The findings suggest that high phosphate-induced renal dysfunction, rather than hyperphosphatemia itself, may impact muscle function. Furthermore, a high-phosphate/low-magnesium diet following unilateral nephrectomy exacerbated renal damage and led to muscle weakness and weight loss. Notably, the expression of Rubicon in the kidneys of the high-phosphate/low-magnesium diet group was significantly increased, suggesting a potential involvement of renal Rubicon in both renal damage and sarcopenia as a phenotype of age-related diseases.

Free Research Field

腎臓内科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

社会の超高齢化や生活習慣病の長期化に伴い、慢性腎臓病（CKD）患者数は依然増加し、医療的にも社会的にも問題となっている。CKDはサルコペニアと密接に関係しており、超高齢化社会である現在、CKD関連サルコペニアの対策は急務である。今回の研究で明らかとなった、高リン負荷によりサルコペニアが生じること、その原因として高リン負荷により生じる腎臓のRubiconが関与している可能性があることから、Rubiconを阻害することで高リン負荷による腎傷害・サルコペニアを改善させることができればその意義は極めて大きい。