73: Premature Cell Aging and its Role in Chronic Kidney Disease

Premature Cell Aging and its Role in Chronic Kidney Disease and Associated Cardiovascular Disease ($6,273) – Dr Cecilia Shing

The progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, however to date a casual relationship and specific mechanisms are yet to be determined. Traditional risk factors such as high blood lipid, high blood pressure and diabetes alone cannot account for the increased risk of cardiovascular disease in CKD. Recently it has been suggested that premature cellular ageing may be a risk factor for cardiovascular disease in CKD Patients. A circulating protein name visfatin may play a protective role in preventing premature cell ageing, slowing the progression of chronic kidney disease and associated cardiovascular disease. The present project aims to determine the relationship between severity of CKD, premature ageing of kidney cells, cardiovascular disease and concentrations of the protective protein visfatin. The results from this pilot study will enable the researchers to identify possible links between kidney disease and cardiovascular disease, with the future aim of identifying pathways for target therapies to treat CKD.