Renocardiac Effects of p-Cresyl Sulfate Administration in Acute Kidney Injury Induced by Unilateral Ischemia and Reperfusion Injury In Vivo.

The precise mechanisms underlying the cardiovascular complications due to acute kidney injury (AKI) and the retention of uremic toxins like p-cresyl sulfate (PCS) remain incompletely understood. The objective of this study was to evaluate the renocardiac effects of PCS administration in animals subjected to AKI induced by ischemia and reperfusion (IR) injury. C57BL6 mice were subjected to distinct protocols: (i) administration with PCS (20, 40, or 60 mg/L/day) for 15 days and (ii) AKI due to unilateral IR injury associated with PCS administration for 15 days. The 20 mg/L dose of PCS led to a decrease in renal mass, an increase in the gene expression of Cystatin C and kidney injury molecule 1 (KIM-1), and a decrease in the α-actin in the heart. During AKI, PCS increased the renal injury biomarkers compared to control; however, it did not exacerbate these markers. Furthermore, PCS did not enhance the cardiac hypertrophy observed after 15 days of IR. An increase, but not potentialized, in the cardiac levels of interleukin (IL)-1ß and IL-6 in the IR group treated with PCS, as well as in the injured kidney, was also noticed. In short, PCS administration did not intensify kidney injury, inflammation, and cardiac outcomes after AKI.

Effect of COVID-19 on cardiorenal axis: known or unknown universe?

Recent findings have confirmed relationships between coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and multiple organ dysfunction. The prevalence of cardiac and renal involvement in COVID-19 has been increasingly reported and is a marker of severe disease that not only directly or indirectly affects the organs, but may also exacerbate the underlying comorbid illness. In addition, patients affected by the new coronavirus present a systemic inflammatory condition that results in damage to several tissues, especially the heart, kidneys, and vessels. It is well known that the heart and kidneys are closely related, so that any change in one of the organs can lead to damage to the other, establishing the so-called cardiorenal syndrome. Herein, we explore some case reports of patients with COVID-19 who had heart and kidney abnormalities, consequently resulting in worse prognosis of the disease. These results highlight the importance of understanding the cause and effect between the cardiac and renal systems and the course of early SARS-CoV-2 infection.