Chronic Kidney Disease & Insulin Resistance - Chromatography Assesses the Link

Research shows that there is a link between chronic kidney disease and insulin resistance. But as discussed in a recent paper published in the journal Kidney and Blood Pressure Research the underlying reasons why are not well understood.

The researchers in Beijing, China used chromatography to try and identify the metabolites and pathways unique to insulin resistance induced by chronic kidney disease. Thereby helping to establish any underlying factors that could help researchers identify the underlying mechanism linking kidney disease and insulin resistance.

CKD - A worldwide health problem

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a condition where the kidneys don’t work as well as they should. It can often go undetected in the early stages, often only being identified when your doctor carries out a test for another condition using a blood or urine analysis. This is partly because there are no specific symptoms associated with the early stages of chronic kidney disease. Often it exists with other conditions including cardiovascular disease.

There are tests for chronic kidney disease, and treatment can prevent the disease from progressing to a more advanced stage when symptoms such as tiredness, blood in your urine and swollen ankles are characteristic symptoms. It is often caused by other conditions putting a greater strain on the kidneys – high blood pressure, kidney infections and diabetes can all cause problems in the kidneys.

Insulin resistance – leads to hyperinsulinemia

Insulin resistance is simply the term used when cells in the body don’t respond in the normal way to the hormone insulin. Insulin allows the body’s cells to use glucose as fuel or for storage. If you suffer from insulin resistance, then glucose is more likely to build up in the blood giving high blood sugar levels. Insulin resistance is one of the factors that causes type 2 diabetes. Also, people with insulin resistance can produce more insulin than is needed giving the condition hyperinsulinemia.

Chromatography searches for the link

The study referenced above was interested in finding the links between CKD and insulin resistance. Previous studies and diagnoses have noted that insulin resistance is prevalent amongst patients suffering from kidney disease. It has also been noted that a decline in kidney function is correlated with the development of insulin resistance. The researchers were interested in the metabolites and pathways unique to chronic kidney disease and induced insulin resistance.

Using animal samples, the researchers profiled the metabolites in the serum, liver and muscle tissue and analysed the molecular pathways in relation to chronic kidney disease and insulin resistance. The analysis of metabolites is commonly carries out using chromatography as discussed in the article, Enhanced Sample Preparation: Precision Peptide Mapping and Quantitation Using UHPLC and Mass Spectrometry. The researchers report that they found significant differences in the metabolites and pathways in the rats with CKD induced insulin resistance. The results offer a way that researchers can discover how CKD induces insulin resistance.