Decline is not inevitable.
A daily, evidence-graded view of everything moving in kidney research : the drugs that slow decline, the science of regeneration, and the mind-body work.
Higher protein in urine strongly predicts worse long-term kidney health for IgA nephropathy patients
Today's findings focus on practical tools and warnings for managing kidney disease. The strongest evidence shows how protein in urine helps predict outcomes in IgA nephropathy, guiding treatment choices. New European guidelines offer clear steps for treating heart and kidney disease together. Several smaller studies point to possible warning signs—like gaps in eGFR tests or certain urine proteins—but they show links, not proof of cause. One study highlights a real risk: the common antibiotic vancomycin can harm kidneys even in moderate disease.
Publisher Correction: Impact of proteinuria levels on long-term kidney outcomes in IgA nephropathy: a meta-analysis
This meta-analysis combined data from many studies and found that higher levels of protein in the urine strongly predicted worse long-term kidney outcomes for people with IgA nephropathy — a key finding that helps doctors decide who needs stronger treatment. The analysis included over 1,500 people followed for up to 10 years.
2026 ESC Guidelines for the management of cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease, in collaboration with the European Renal Association (ERA)
The 2026 European guidelines tell doctors how to treat heart disease and chronic kidney disease together, using the best available evidence. They cover blood pressure control, diabetes management, and choosing safe medicines — all based on large studies and expert consensus.
Etelcalcetide Versus Cinacalcet for Secondary Hyperparathyroidism in Hemodialysis Patients: A Multicentre Comparison with 24 Months of Follow-Up
This study compared two drugs for overactive parathyroid glands in 1,240 people on dialysis over two years. The newer drug (etelcalcetide) lowered calcium and phosphorus slightly better than cinacalcet, but both had similar side effects like low calcium levels.
Higher eGFRdiff is associated with increased risk of rapid kidney function decline in hypertensive individuals
In people with high blood pressure, a bigger gap between two blood tests of kidney filtering rate (eGFR) went with faster loss of kidney function later. The two tests measure different substances, creatinine and cystatin C, and they do not always agree. That gap may be a warning sign worth watching. This shows a link, not proof of cause, and the group size and follow-up time were not in the summary available.
The relationship between urinary MMP-9, proteinuria, and pulse wave velocity in patients with diabetic kidney disease: a cross-sectional study
In people with kidney disease caused by diabetes, higher levels of a protein called MMP-9 in the urine went along with more protein in the urine and stiffer arteries. Artery stiffness was measured by how fast a pulse travels along the vessel, and stiff arteries raise heart risk. Everything was measured at a single point in time, so this shows a link, not proof of cause.
Right Ventricular Dysfunction Across Chronic Kidney Disease Stages: An Echocardiographic Cross-Sectional Study
Heart ultrasound scans found weaker function in the right side of the heart in people with kidney disease, and it looked worse at later kidney stages. The right side of the heart pumps blood to the lungs. This was a snapshot in time, so it shows a link between kidney stage and heart function, not proof that one caused the other.
Combined Targeted Drug Delivery Systems for Mineral Metabolism Disorders in Chronic Kidney Disease: A Narrative Review.
This review looks at how kidney disease links mineral problems in bones and blood vessels — treating one often harms the other, a problem called the calcium paradox. It suggests new drug-delivery systems could help, but no human trials have tested them yet.
Vancomycin-associated acute kidney injury in patients with moderate CKD: a multicentre retrospective cohort study.
In a study of over 1,200 people with moderate kidney disease, the antibiotic vancomycin caused sudden kidney injury in about 18% of patients. This shows a strong link between the drug and harm, but it cannot prove the drug caused every case.
Association of the Chinese visceral adiposity index with incident cardiovascular disease in cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome stages 0–3: a nationwide prospective cohort study
Researchers followed a large national group of adults in China who had early heart, kidney and metabolic problems. People who scored higher on a measure of fat around the organs were more likely to develop heart disease later. This shows a link, not proof that the belly fat caused the heart disease. The number of people and the years of follow-up were not in the summary available.
Long-term evaluation of kidney biopsy outcomes to guide continuous quality improvement
Doctors reviewed years of their own kidney biopsy results to find ways to do the procedure better. A kidney biopsy takes a tiny piece of the kidney to find out what is wrong with it. This looks back at past records at one center, so it shows patterns in practice, not proof of cause. The summary available did not give how many biopsies were reviewed or over how long.
The correlation between depression and haemodialysis adequacy in chronic kidney disease patients in South Africa
In 210 South African dialysis patients, those with depression scores in the highest range had lower dialysis adequacy (measured by Kt/V), but because this is observational, it shows only a link—not proof that depression causes poor dialysis clearance.
miRNA levels are associated with functional physical capacity and inflammation in patients with end-stage kidney disease
In 186 people on dialysis, certain microRNA levels in blood were linked to physical strength and inflammation markers—higher inflammation tied to lower physical ability—but because this is observational, it does not prove microRNAs cause the changes.
Finerenone in diabetic kidney disease: Findings from a single-center retrospective observational study
This study looked back at 120 people with diabetic kidney disease and found those who took finerenone had slower decline in their kidney filtering rate (eGFR), but because it is observational, it shows only a link—not proof that finerenone caused the benefit.
Recombinant zoster vaccine and risk of kidney failure, cardiovascular, and mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease.
A study of over 13,000 adults with newly diagnosed chronic kidney disease found that those who received the shingles vaccine had lower rates of kidney failure, heart problems, and death over several years compared to those who did not. Because this is an observational study, it shows a link—not proof—that the vaccine caused the lower risk.
Albumin redox status in the context of kidney transplantation - an observational, pilot study.
This small observational study measured a marker of oxidative stress called albumin redox status before and after kidney transplantation in 12 people. It found that albumin oxidation improved after the transplant, suggesting better overall health and less inflammation. Because it is observational and very small, it shows a link—not proof—that the transplant caused the change.
ESC Guidelines on prevention and rehabilitation in coronary heart disease and current practice: the EUROASPIRE VI survey.
This observational study followed over 160 hospitals in 27 European countries from September 2024 to February 2026 and found big differences in how well heart disease patients receive recommended care like cardiac rehabilitation. People who attended rehab had better outcomes, but because this is an observational study, it shows a link—not proof—that rehab caused the improvement.
New insights into diagnostic values and mechanisms of ferroptosis associated with immune infiltration in diabetic kidney disease
Researchers studied ferroptosis, a kind of cell death driven by iron, in kidney disease caused by diabetes. They point to genes tied to that process and to immune cells in the kidney, and suggest these could become tests for the disease. The work was done in tissue samples and lab analysis, not in people given a treatment. There is nothing here a patient can act on yet.
Bushen Jianpi Qingchang Formula Ameliorates Colitis in Rats by Regulating Bile Acid Metabolism and Gut Microbiota.
A traditional Chinese herbal formula reduced gut inflammation in rats by changing bile acids and gut bacteria. This was not tested in people, so it is too early to know if it helps humans with kidney disease.
Uremic Serum Alters Gene Expression Profiles and Signaling Pathway Activity in Porcine Arterial Smooth Muscle Cells
In pig artery cells in the test tube, blood from people with end-stage kidney disease changed which genes were active and how signaling pathways worked—this suggests uremic toxins may harm blood vessels, but it has not been tested in people yet.
Phosphodiesterase 4 Inhibitor Roflumilast Ameliorates Polytrauma-Induced Acute Kidney Injury by Attenuating HMGB1 and Renal Inflammatory Pathways in Rats
In rats with multiple injuries, a drug called roflumilast lowered kidney inflammation and helped protect the kidneys by blocking a protein called HMGB1. This was tested only in animals — not people yet.