Highlights• Salt intake accelerated kidney scarring in rats with chronic kidney disease by activating a brain-kidney connection called the renin-angiotensin axis that interlinks the damaged kidney and brain by afferent and efferent sympathetic nerves. • Targeting these nerves reduced salt-induced kidney scarring.

Newswise — Washington, DC (January 29, 2015) — In addition to affecting blood pressure, high-salt intake can promote kidney function decline in patients with chronic kidney disease. A study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (JASN) reveals that the effects of salt consumption on the kidneys are mediated at least in part by brain-kidney interactions. The findings suggest new strategies for protecting patients’ kidney health.

While it’s known that salt intake can contribute to the progression of chronic kidney disease, the mechanisms involved are unclear. Fan Fan Hou, MD, PhD, Wei Cao, MD, and Aiqing Li, PhD (Southern Medical University, in Guangzhou, China) wondered whether interactions between the kidneys and the brain might be involved. Their research team studied the brain-kidney connections in rats with kidney disease.

The investigators found that salt intake accelerated kidney scarring in the animals by activating a brain-kidney connection called the renin-angiotensin axis that interlinks the damaged kidney and brain by afferent and efferent sympathetic nerves. Targeting these nerves reduced salt-induced kidney scarring.

“These findings provide novel targets to fill a therapeutic void in preventing relentless progression of chronic kidney disease,” said Dr. Hou. The investigators noted that kidney scarring, or fibrosis, is the final common pathway for most categories of chronic kidney disease and culminates in kidney failure.

Study co-authors include Liangliang Wang, MD; Zhanmei Zhou, MBBS; Zhengxiu Su, MMed; Wei Bin, MBBS; and Christopher Wilcox, MD, PhD.

Disclosures: The authors reported no financial disclosures.

The article, entitled “A Salt-Induced Reno-Cerebral Reflex Activates Renin-Angiotensin Systems and Promotes CKD Progression,” will appear online at http://jasn.asnjournals.org/ on January 29, 2015. The content of this article does not reflect the views or opinions of The American Society of Nephrology (ASN). Responsibility for the information and views expressed therein lies entirely with the author(s). ASN does not offer medical advice. All content in ASN publications is for informational purposes only, and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions, or adverse effects. This content should not be used during a medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health care provider if you have any questions about a medical condition, or before taking any drug, changing your diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment. Do not ignore or delay obtaining professional medical advice because of information accessed through ASN. Call 911 or your doctor for all medical emergencies.

Founded in 1966, and with more than 15,000 members, the American Society of Nephrology (ASN) leads the fight against kidney disease by educating health professionals, sharing new knowledge, advancing research, and advocating the highest quality care for patients.

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Journal of the American Society of Nephrology