Gut Bacterial Molecule Promotes Kidney Fibrosis in Diabetes
New research reveals that a molecule produced by gut bacteria, corisin, plays a crucial role in promoting kidney fibrosis in diabetic patients. Blocking corisin could offer a novel approach to prevent kidney failure.
Recent research highlights the role of a molecule produced by gut bacteria in accelerating kidney fibrosis, a severe complication of diabetes that often leads to kidney failure. Scientists from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and Mie University in Japan identified that a small peptide called corisin, generated by Staphylococcus bacteria in the gut, travels through the bloodstream attached to albumin, a common blood protein. Once reaching the kidneys, corisin detaches and triggers cellular aging and death within kidney tissues, setting off a chain of inflammation and scar tissue formation.
The study found elevated levels of corisin in the blood and urine of patients with diabetic kidney fibrosis, with the amount correlating directly to the severity of kidney damage. In mouse experiments, introducing antibodies that neutralize corisin significantly slowed the progression of kidney damage, suggesting the molecule plays a critical role in disease development.
Corisin’s journey from the gut to the kidneys was elucidated through computer simulations and laboratory experiments, revealing that it binds to albumin and exploits this transport mechanism to reach renal tissues. When corisin reaches the kidney, it accelerates aging processes in kidney cells, leading to increased inflammation, cell death, and fibrosis.
Current treatments for diabetic kidney fibrosis mainly control blood sugar and blood pressure but do not halt or reverse scarring. The discovery of corisin as a key driver opens new possibilities for targeted therapies, such as antibody treatments to block its activity. Researchers are now planning further testing in more advanced animal models, including pigs, with the hope of developing human applications.
This groundbreaking finding advances our understanding of how gut bacteria influence distant organs and underscores the potential for microbiome-targeted interventions in preventing or slowing kidney fibrosis in diabetes. Future therapies aimed at blocking molecules like corisin could significantly improve patient outcomes and quality of life.
Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-08-kidney-fibrosis-linked-molecule-gut.html
Stay Updated with Mia's Feed
Get the latest health & wellness insights delivered straight to your inbox.
Related Articles
Innovative Fluorescent Probe Enables Rapid Visualization of Active Brain Synapses
A groundbreaking fluorescent probe developed by researchers allows rapid visualization of active brain synapses, advancing neuroscience research and understanding of memory formation.
Weight Loss Injections Significantly Lower Heart Failure Risk, Study Finds
A groundbreaking study shows that weight loss injections like semaglutide and tirzepatide can cut the risk of heart failure hospitalization and death by over 40%, opening new possibilities for treatment of HFpEF.
Effective Strategies for Communicating with Loved Ones About a Head and Neck Cancer Diagnosis
Learn effective strategies to communicate openly and supportively with loved ones after a head and neck cancer diagnosis. Practical tips include understanding your diagnosis, deciding who to inform, and seeking support resources to navigate this challenging time.
Health Insurers Commit to Enhancing Coverage Review Processes to Reduce Delays and Complaints
Major health insurers are pledging to reform coverage review processes, reducing delays and complaints, and standardizing prior authorization procedures to improve patient care and administrative efficiency.