Curr Opin Nephrol Hypertens. 2006 Sep;15:481-6
Praga M, Morales E
PURPOSE OF REVIEW:
Recent studies have reported an alarming increase in the incidence of obesity-related kidney disease, in context of a worldwide spread of obesity.
RECENT FINDINGS:
Several epidemiological investigations have confirmed that obesity is a significant risk factor for the appearance of protein in the urine and end-stage renal disease in a normal population. Obesity-induced haemodynamic changes and deposition of fats in the kidney filtering system play an important role in the pathogenesis of obesity-related renal disease. In addition, a hormone system controlled by the kidneys (called the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system) is markedly activated in obesity, fat cells being an important source of these hormones. Weight loss induces a marked reduction in all renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system components and a very important reduction in protein leakage in chronic proteinuric nephropathies of different causes.
SUMMARY:
Prevention and treatment of obesity should be a first-line objective in the therapeutic approach of patients with diabetic and non-diabetic chronic renal diseases.
