Health

Low-Salt Diet And Reduced Body Fluids May Repair Kidney Cells: Study

A short-term, low-salt diet combined with reduced body fluids may aid in the repair and regeneration of certain kidney cells, according to US scientists who have shown promising results in animal studies.

The loss of salt and body fluid can stimulate kidney regeneration and repair in mice, as demonstrated by a study led by stem cell scientist Janos Peti-Peterdi from the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California.

Also Read: Study: IVF Does Not Increase Risk Of Mental Disorder In Adults

This regenerative response depends on a small population of kidney cells in a region known as the macula densa (MD), which senses salt and controls filtration, hormone secretion, and other key kidney functions, according to the study published in The Journal of Clinical Investigation.

Currently, there is no cure for kidney disease. By the time it is diagnosed, the kidneys are irreversibly damaged, necessitating replacement therapies such as dialysis or transplantation.

To address this growing epidemic, Peti-Peterdi, first author Georgina Gyarmati, and their colleagues adopted a highly non-traditional approach.

Instead of studying why diseased kidneys fail to regenerate, the scientists investigated how healthy kidneys originally evolved.

The team fed lab mice a very low-salt diet along with an ACE inhibitor, a commonly prescribed drug that further reduced salt and fluid levels.

The mice followed this regimen for up to two weeks, as extremely low-salt diets can cause serious health issues if continued long term.

In the MD region, the scientists observed regenerative activity, which they could block by administering drugs that interfere with signals sent by the MD.

When the scientists further analyzed mouse MD cells, they found both genetic and structural characteristics similar to nerve cells.

Richa Kaushik

Recent Posts

Yemen’s Houthis Claim Responsibility For Missile Attack On Israel

Yemen's Houthi group has claimed responsibility for a missile attack on Israel's Negev region, targeting…

2 hours ago

From ‘Razia Sultan’ To ‘Sarfarosh’: The Timeless Journey Of Nida Fazli, ‘Main Nida’

A special screening of the film 'Main Nida', based on the life of the renowned…

3 hours ago

Flood Alert In PoK’s Muzaffarabad After Alleged Jhelum Water Release

A flood alert was issued across Muzaffarabad on Saturday after locals reported a sudden rise…

4 hours ago

Zelensky, Trump Hold Talks In Rome Ahead Of Pope’s Funeral; Discuss Ceasefire & Peace

US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met in Rome on Saturday ahead…

4 hours ago

Pahalgam Terror Attack: Ishan Educational Institutions Organises Protest Against Terrorism

Ishan Educational Institutions, Greater Noida, today organised a peaceful protest march condemning the recent terror…

5 hours ago

Complete Ban On Drone Flights Over Noida International Airport ‘Red Zone’

Authorities have imposed a complete ban on the operation of drones and UAVs over and…

6 hours ago