Taking Care of Kidneys

Kidney function is one predictor of longevity. Taking steps to ensure their health is important.

Important to know facts about kidneys:

        1.  Kidneys remove metabolic waste products and extra fluid from the body.

        2. Kidneys filter about 200 L of blood every day

        3. Evidence suggests that cellular senescence (deterioration with age)

reduces renal function and increases risk for kidney injury and chronic

kidney disease. Hayflick Limit states that cells can only undergo so many

cell divisions before entering senescence.

        4. Researchers are studying a number of pharmacological interventions to

reduce kidney aging.

Aging kidney changes shown in studies include the following:

1. Simple kidney cysts can form. Usually considered harmless, but some

studies say they can lead to hypertension.

2. Decline in kidney thickness and mass.

3. Nephrosclerosis can cause the loss of approximately 6,000 to 6500

nephrons per year, after age 30.

4. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) falls about 5-10% per decade

How you can take care of your kidneys & slow aging:

1.     Manage high blood pressure, diabetes

2.     Control high cholesterol

3.     Treat heart disease

4.     Get adequate sleep

5.     Stay physically active every day

6.     Stop smoking & limit alcohol

7.     Reduce stress

8.     Ensure adequate fluid intake

9.     Eat a healthy diet of fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low or fat free

dairy, and limit salt and sugar.

10.  Short-term calorie restriction has been shown in some studies to shorten

cellular senescence.

Additional Facts:

• ·The National Kidney Foundation urges adults over the age of 60 to be screened for kidney disease annually. A urine test and/or blood work can be done to determine the status of kidney function. This is especially important for people with high risks for kidney disease.

•  Kidney disease develops slowly with few symptoms, therefore it can go undetected until the disease is advanced.

•  It’s important to talk to your healthcare provider about screening for kidney disease, and implement strategies to ensure healthy kidneys.

References:

1. Andrianova, N.V., Buyan, M.I., Olikhova, A.K., Zorov, D.B., & Plotnikov, E.Y. (2021). Dietary Restriction for Kidney Protection: Decline in Nephroprotective Mechanisms During Aging. Frontiers in Physiology, 12. (Internet)https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2021.699490/full

2. Chi, M., Tian, Z., Ma, K., Li, Y., Wang, L., Nasser, M.I., & Liu, C. (2022). The diseased kidney: agingand senescent immunology. Immunity and Ageing, 19(58), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12979-022-00313-9

3. Denic A, Lieske JC, Chakkera HA, Poggio ED, Alexander MP, Singh P, Kremers WK, Lerman LO, Rule AD. The Substantial Loss of Nephrons in Healthy Human Kidneys with Aging. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2017 Jan;28(1):313-320. doi: 10.1681/ASN.2016020154. Epub 2016 Jul 8. PMID: 27401688; PMCID: PMC5198286.

4. Dybiec, J., Sziagor, M., Mlynarska, E., Rysz, J., & Franczyk, B. (2021). Structural and Functional Changes in Aging Kidneys. International Journal of Molecular Science, 23(23): 15435. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms232315435

5. Fang, Y., Gong, A.Y., Haller, S.T., Dworkin, L.D., Liu, Z., & Gong, R. (2020). The ageing kidney:Molecular mechanisms and clinical implications. Ageing Research Reviews, 63: 101151 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arr.2020.101151

6. Frazin, R., Stasi, Al., Ranieri, E., Netti, G.S., Cantaluppi, V., Gesualdo, L., Stallone, G., & Castellano, G. (2021). Targeting Premature Renal Aging: from Molecular Mechanisms of cellular Senescence to Senolytic Trials. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 12. (Internet) https://doi.org/10.3389/phar.2021.630419

7. Hommos MS, Glassock RJ, Rule AD, 2017. Structural and functional changes in human kidneys with healthy aging. J. Am. Soc. Nephrol 28, 2838–2844.

8. Kanasaki, K., Kitada, M., & Koya, D. (2012). Pathophysiology of the aging kidney and therapeutic interventions. Hypertension Research, 35, 1121-1128. https://doi.org/10.1038/hr.2012.159

9. National Institute on Aging (2014, March 13). NIH urges older Americans to protect their kidneys. (Internet) https://www.nia.nih.gov/news/nih-urges-older-americans-protect-their-kidneys

10. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (2016, October). Preventing Chronic Kidney Disease. (Internet) https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/kidney-disease/chronic-kidney-disease-ckd/prevention

11. National Kidney Foundation (2023). Aging and Kidney Disease. (Internet)

https://www.kidney.org/news/monthly/wkd_aging

12. Papacocea, R.I., Timofte, D., Tanaseccu, M.D., Balcangiu-Stroescu, A.E., Balan, D.G., Tulin, A.,Stiru, O., et al. (2021). Kidney aging process and the management of the elderly patient with renal impairment (Review). Exp Ther Med, 21(3): 266. doi: 10.3892/etm.2021.9697

13. Vanholder, R., Annemans, L., Bellow, A.K., Bikbov, B., Gallego, D., Gansevoort, R.T. Lameire, N., et al. (2021). Fighting the unbearable lightness of neglecting kidney health: the decade of the kidney. Clinical Kidney Journal, 14(7), 1719-1730. https://doi.org/10.1093/ckj/sfab070

14. Wei, S.Y., Pan, S.Y., Li, B., Chen, Y.M, & Lin, S.L. (2020). Rejuvenation: Turning back the clock of aging kidney. Journal of the Formosan Medical Association, 119(5), 898-906. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfma.2019.05.020

15. Weinstein, J.R. & Anderson, S. (2010). The Aging Kidney: Physiological Changes. Advanced Chronic Kidney Disease, 17(4), 302-327. doi: 10.1053/j.ackd.2010.05.002