Nephropathy
Encyclopedia
Nephropathy refers to damage to or disease
of the kidney
. An older term for this is nephrosis.
s, xanthine oxidase deficiency, and long-term exposure to lead
or its salts. Chronic conditions that can produce nephropathy include systemic lupus erythematosus
, diabetes mellitus
and high blood pressure (hypertension), which lead to diabetic nephropathy
and hypertensive nephropathy
, respectively.
, acetaminophen, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs. This form of nephropathy is "chronic analgesic nephritis," a chronic inflammatory change characterized by loss and atrophy of tubules and interstitial fibrosis and inflammation (BRS Pathology, 2nd edition).
Specifically, long term use of the analgesic phenacetin
has been linked to renal papillary necrosis
(necrotizing papillitis).
in the purine
degradation pathway. Xanthine oxidase will degrade hypoxanthine
to xanthine
and then to uric acid
. Xanthine is not very soluble in water; therefore, an increase in xanthine forms crystals (which can lead to kidney stone
s) and result in damage of the kidney. Drugs like allopurinol
that are used to inhibit xanthine oxidase can therefore cause possible nephropathy.
, having serious consequence if it can not be controlled effectively. Generally, the process of Kidney Disease development is from light to serious. Most Kidney Diseases follow developing process of Renal Insufficiency, Renal Failure and Uremia.
Disease
A disease is an abnormal condition affecting the body of an organism. It is often construed to be a medical condition associated with specific symptoms and signs. It may be caused by external factors, such as infectious disease, or it may be caused by internal dysfunctions, such as autoimmune...
of the kidney
Kidney
The kidneys, organs with several functions, serve essential regulatory roles in most animals, including vertebrates and some invertebrates. They are essential in the urinary system and also serve homeostatic functions such as the regulation of electrolytes, maintenance of acid–base balance, and...
. An older term for this is nephrosis.
Causes
Causes of nephropathy include administration of analgesicAnalgesic
An analgesic is any member of the group of drugs used to relieve pain . The word analgesic derives from Greek an- and algos ....
s, xanthine oxidase deficiency, and long-term exposure to lead
Lead
Lead is a main-group element in the carbon group with the symbol Pb and atomic number 82. Lead is a soft, malleable poor metal. It is also counted as one of the heavy metals. Metallic lead has a bluish-white color after being freshly cut, but it soon tarnishes to a dull grayish color when exposed...
or its salts. Chronic conditions that can produce nephropathy include systemic lupus erythematosus
Systemic lupus erythematosus
Systemic lupus erythematosus , often abbreviated to SLE or lupus, is a systemic autoimmune disease that can affect any part of the body. As occurs in other autoimmune diseases, the immune system attacks the body's cells and tissue, resulting in inflammation and tissue damage...
, diabetes mellitus
Diabetes mellitus
Diabetes mellitus, often simply referred to as diabetes, is a group of metabolic diseases in which a person has high blood sugar, either because the body does not produce enough insulin, or because cells do not respond to the insulin that is produced...
and high blood pressure (hypertension), which lead to diabetic nephropathy
Diabetic nephropathy
Diabetic nephropathy , also known as Kimmelstiel-Wilson syndrome, or nodular diabetic glomerulosclerosis and intercapillary glomerulonephritis, is a progressive kidney disease caused by angiopathy of capillaries in the kidney glomeruli. It is characterized by nephrotic syndrome and diffuse...
and hypertensive nephropathy
Hypertensive nephropathy
Hypertensive nephropathy is a medical condition referring to damage to the kidney due to chronic high blood pressure....
, respectively.
Analgesics
One cause of nephropathy is the long term usage of analgesics. The pain medicines which can cause kidney problems include aspirinAspirin
Aspirin , also known as acetylsalicylic acid , is a salicylate drug, often used as an analgesic to relieve minor aches and pains, as an antipyretic to reduce fever, and as an anti-inflammatory medication. It was discovered by Arthur Eichengrun, a chemist with the German company Bayer...
, acetaminophen, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs. This form of nephropathy is "chronic analgesic nephritis," a chronic inflammatory change characterized by loss and atrophy of tubules and interstitial fibrosis and inflammation (BRS Pathology, 2nd edition).
Specifically, long term use of the analgesic phenacetin
Phenacetin
Phenacetin is an analgesic, once widely used; its use has declined because of its adverse effects.-History:Phenacetin was introduced in 1887, and was used principally as an analgesic, and was one of the first synthetic fever reducers to go on the market...
has been linked to renal papillary necrosis
Renal papillary necrosis
Renal papillary necrosis is a form of nephropathy involving the necrosis of the renal papilla, which is supplied by the vasa recta.-Causes:Analgesic nephropathy is a cause of renal papillary necrosis. The damage is cumulative and most patients of renal papillary necrosis would have ingested at...
(necrotizing papillitis).
Xanthine oxidase deficiency
A second possible cause of nephropathy is due to decreased function of xanthine oxidaseXanthine oxidase
Xanthine oxidase Xanthine oxidase Xanthine oxidase (XO (sometimes 'XAO'), a form of xanthine oxidoreductase that generates reactive oxygen species. Is an enzyme that catalyzes the oxidation of hypoxanthine to xanthine and can further catalyze the oxidation of xanthine to uric acid...
in the purine
Purine
A purine is a heterocyclic aromatic organic compound, consisting of a pyrimidine ring fused to an imidazole ring. Purines, including substituted purines and their tautomers, are the most widely distributed kind of nitrogen-containing heterocycle in nature....
degradation pathway. Xanthine oxidase will degrade hypoxanthine
Hypoxanthine
Hypoxanthine is a naturally occurring purine derivative. It is occasionally found as a constituent of nucleic acids where it is present in the anticodon of tRNA in the form of its nucleoside inosine. It has a tautomer known as 6-Hydroxypurine. Hypoxanthine is a necessary additive in certain cell,...
to xanthine
Xanthine
Xanthine , is a purine base found in most human body tissues and fluids and in other organisms. A number of stimulants are derived from xanthine, including caffeine and theobromine....
and then to uric acid
Uric acid
Uric acid is a heterocyclic compound of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and hydrogen with the formula C5H4N4O3. It forms ions and salts known as urates and acid urates such as ammonium acid urate. Uric acid is created when the body breaks down purine nucleotides. High blood concentrations of uric acid...
. Xanthine is not very soluble in water; therefore, an increase in xanthine forms crystals (which can lead to kidney stone
Kidney stone
A kidney stone, also known as a renal calculus is a solid concretion or crystal aggregation formed in the kidneys from dietary minerals in the urine...
s) and result in damage of the kidney. Drugs like allopurinol
Allopurinol
Allopurinol is a drug used primarily to treat hyperuricemia and its complications, including chronic gout.- Mechanism of action :...
that are used to inhibit xanthine oxidase can therefore cause possible nephropathy.
Polycystic Disease of the Kidneys
Additional possible cause of nephropathy is due to the formation of cysts or pockets containing fluid within the kidneys. These cysts get enlarged with the progression of aging causing renal failure. Cysts may also form in other organs including the Liver, Brain and Ovaries. Polycystic Disease is a genetic disease caused by Mutations in the PKD1, PKD2, and PKHD1 genes. This disease affects about half a million people in the US. Polycystic kidneys are susceptible to infections and cancer other factors contributing to renal failure.Development
Kidney Disease is a chronic non-communicable diseaseNon-communicable disease
A non-communicable disease, or NCD, is a medical condition or disease which is non-infectious. NCDs are diseases of long duration and generally slow progression. They include heart disease, stroke, cancer, asthma, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, osteoporosis, Alzheimer's disease, cataracts, and...
, having serious consequence if it can not be controlled effectively. Generally, the process of Kidney Disease development is from light to serious. Most Kidney Diseases follow developing process of Renal Insufficiency, Renal Failure and Uremia.
See also
- Chronic kidney disease
- Hematologic Diseases Information ServiceHematologic Diseases Information ServiceThe Hematologic Diseases Information Service is an information dissemination service of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases . The NIDDK is part of the National Institutes of Health, which is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services...
- NephritisNephritisNephritis is inflammation of the nephrons in the kidneys. The word "nephritis" was imported from Latin, which took it from Greek: νεφρίτιδα. The word comes from the Greek νεφρός - nephro- meaning "of the kidney" and -itis meaning "inflammation"....
- IgA nephropathyIgA nephropathyIgA nephropathy is a form of glomerulonephritis...
- Protein toxicityProtein toxicityProtein toxicity with proteinuria can result in those with preexisting kidney disease, or those who have lost kidney function due to age.-Definition:...
- ProteinuriaProteinuriaProteinuria means the presence of anexcess of serum proteins in the urine. The protein in the urine often causes the urine to become foamy, although foamy urine may also be caused by bilirubin in the urine , retrograde ejaculation, pneumaturia due to a fistula, or drugs such as pyridium.- Causes...